A local man was arrested on Wednesday at the Barrier Gate checkpoint for cheating 14 mainlanders out of 18,920 yuan (23,800 patacas) by claiming that he could get them non-resident work permits in Macau, according to a Public Security Police (PSP) spokesperson on Friday.

The 55-year-old suspect surnamed Fong told the police that he is the person-in-charge of a decoration company. One of the victims got to know Fong in early 2018.

According to the spokesperson, the male victim reported to the police on January 5 that he and his 13 friends had been cheated by Fong who told them that he could assist them in getting jobs in Macau. 

Last July, Fong told the victim to look for applicants willing to work in Macau. The victim and his 13 home-town friends submitted their personal information to Fong and each transferred 1,330 yuan to him to arrange the work permits. Fong told him that they could obtain the work permits two months later. However, Fong later came up with excuses, and the victim was unable to contact him.

PSP officers identified Fong as the suspect and arrested him when he entered the Barrier Gate checkpoint on Wednesday. Fong admitted to cheating the victims, claiming that he had gambled away all the ill-gotten gains, said the spokesperson.

Fong has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (PSP), facing a fraud charge, according to the spokesperson. 

This undated handout photo provided by Public Security Police (PSP) on Friday shows PSP officers escorting the fraud suspect to a PSP vehicle.