Sri Lankan gem dealer faces huge loss after HK$6m robbery in Hong Kong
Those attending Wan Chai fair next week urged to speak up if they come across his stolen stones
An international gem trader, facing financial ruin after precious stones worth HK$6 million he was carrying were snatched in a city shopping mall, has called on fellow traders taking part in a jewel fair next week to be on the lookout for them.
The plea by Sri Lankan businessman Mohamed Azan Mohideen Abdul Cader comes as a police hunt for the suspects, who made off with 750 of his uninsured gems in the iSquare mall in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday, continues.
The 44-year-old trader has pleaded for the safe return of the precious stones and urged local and international traders to watch out for anyone trying to sell the stolen goods.
Abdul Cader called for extra vigilance from those attending the 29th Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai next week.
“Don’t buy stolen things at the fair, so please check if these stones come on to the market. Everyone needs to be careful, there have been lots of instances in the past when thieves are either in the fair or outside,’’ Abdul Cader said.
Last year’s fair made headlines when jewels worth HK$6.9 million were stolen in a string of thefts, typical of a problem that has plagued the event in recent years.
Abdul Cader said his loss “will cripple our business completely. We have lost almost everything.”