Knife-wielding gang ties up 4 tourists in Hong Kong party hall, steals HK$110,000

A group of more than 10 knife-wielding assailants stormed a party venue in Hong Kong and tied up four visitors from mainland China and Taiwan, robbing them and forcing one of them to transfer HK$110,000 ($12,830) during a four-hour ordeal Wednesday morning.

A source familiar with the case said the attackers stole valuables and several hundred dollars in cash from the victims, all men aged 28 to 33.

The source said a citywide search was still underway as of noon.

The tourists – three from the mainland and one from Taiwan – came to the city for sightseeing and were taken to the Kwun Tong Industrial Centre party hall by their local friend around 9pm on Tuesday, the source said.

He said police were now looking for his friend, 31, in connection with the robbery.

“While they were hanging out together, more than 10 men (carrying knives and wooden sticks) burst into the room, assaulting them, tying them up and demanding money and valuables,” the source said.

The source said the gang entered the venue around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and a victim was forced to make an online transfer of HKD110,000 to a bank account.

One of the victims called police to report the theft at around 5:46 a.m. after managing to break free once the attackers fled..

When officers arrived, they found two of the injured victims outside the building, while a third was in the elevator lobby, the spokesperson said.

The three injured men were taken to United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong for treatment.

The source said the fourth was being treated at Kwong Wah Hospital in Yau Ma Tei.

Police searched the area but made no arrests. CCTV footage was also reviewed for evidence.

Detectives from the Kwun Tong District Crime Squad are investigating.

Police dealt with 36 reports of theft between January and May this year, a 28 per cent drop from 50 cases recorded during the same period in 2023.