Law enforcement agencies launched a 'crackdown operation' yesterday (12th), successfully cracking down on a cross-border money laundering group active in Hong Kong and mainland China through cooperation with the banking industry.
In August of this year, law enforcement agencies received reports from several banks that some new accounts had abnormal cash withdrawal situations. The police then collaborated with the bank to analyze and conduct in-depth investigations into suspicious accounts, and found that members of the group were suspected of using 43 local bank accounts between June and September this year to collect fraudulent payments from 34 cases in Hong Kong, including job fraud, phone fraud, and investment fraud, with a total amount of over 18 million Hong Kong dollars involved and a single highest loss of 2.54 million Hong Kong dollars; According to the analysis of fund flow, it is believed that the group has laundered suspected black money of up to HKD 231 million through related accounts and virtual currency transactions.
The investigation also found that the group would recruit mainland Chinese to open puppet accounts in some virtual banks in Hong Kong and collect criminal proceeds. These account holders will then transfer the money to their traditional bank account and withdraw it in cash, and then go to a virtual asset exchange store to purchase virtual currency.
Yesterday, law enforcement agencies launched an ambush operation and found that two household registration holders withdrew about HKD 400000 and then went to Hong Kong Island to prepare to purchase virtual currency. When the time was ripe, the police immediately arrested two people on suspicion of "money laundering", and also searched two locations of the group and multiple locations throughout Hong Kong, arresting another 12 people. During the operation, police officers seized approximately HKD 1.54 million in cash, multiple bank debit cards, mobile phone and virtual currency transaction records, and other evidence.
The arrested persons are 11 men and 3 women (aged 23 to 50), including members of the group and multiple puppet household registration holders, all of whom are mainland Chinese. Among them, 13 people came to Hong Kong with two-way permits. The arrested persons are currently being detained for investigation, and 13 of them will be temporarily charged with the crime of "money laundering". The case will be brought to court in the Eastern District Court tomorrow (14th) morning.
In addition, during the investigation, the police found that some victims of fraud had deposited money into accounts controlled by fraudsters, and identified more potential victims of fraud. The police proactively contacted relevant personnel and intercepted 103 ongoing fraud cases. The victims involved are aged between 23 and 77, and they lost approximately HKD 47 million in the fraud case. After timely persuasion by the police, they were able to avoid further losses totaling HKD 24 million.
Among these victims, the oldest is a 77 year old retired man who met scammers online and was persuaded by them to invest in virtual currency. Therefore, from July to September this year, he transferred 16 transactions totaling approximately HKD 1.48 million to the bank account provided by the scammers. The victim did not realize that he had fallen into an investment fraud until he received contact from the police, and he not only lost his savings, but also incurred debts due to borrowing from a finance company and cashing out his mortgage.
Another victim who was dissuaded was a 60 year old housewife who lost her loved one at the beginning of this year. In August, when her mood was relatively calm, she unfortunately encountered a fraudster. The fraudster used the excuse of opening an online store to lure her into making false investments. The victim was not afraid of fraud and transferred approximately HKD 3 million of inheritance left by her family to the fraudster's account. It was not until yesterday when she received a reminder from the police that she realized she had been tricked and promptly protected the remaining inheritance.
Original URL:on.cc
