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Police Arrest 71 Over Fraud and Money Laundering Involving HKD535 million, HKD5.67 million Intercepted
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Police launched an enforcement operation codenamed "Cloud Piercer" from April 13 to 26 to combat fraud and money laundering offences, arresting 71 men and women in connection with 66 fraud cases and related money laundering activities involving up to HKD535 million. About HKD5.67 million in fraudulent proceeds was successfully intercepted after the Police Anti-Deception Coordination Centre activated its stop-payment mechanism. The Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Unit, together with four district police divisions, arrested 71 individuals during a 14-day operation, including 49 men and 22 women aged between 20 and 76. The suspects, who reported occupations such as accountant, renovation worker, property agent and homemaker, were arrested for "money laundering" and "obtaining property by deception", involving 66 fraud cases and related money laundering offences. The cases involved 136 victims aged between 18 and 77, with losses ranging from HKD500 to over HKD14 million, totalling approximately HKD535 million. The case involving the largest loss concerned a money laundering offence of HKD14.76 million. The victim company was a US-based firm. In July 2025, the companys manager reported receiving an email from a fraudster impersonating the companys CEO, instructing that company funds be transferred for operational reasons to a designated Hong Kong bank account. The manager transferred USD1.8 million (approximately HKD14.76 million) as instructed without suspecting fraud. The scam was discovered only after confirming with the real CEO that the CEOs email account had been hijacked. The case was reported to Hong Kong police, and two holders of mule bank accounts have since been arrested following investigation. Separately, police last month dismantled an active fraud syndicate that impersonated the Water Supplies Department to obtain credit card information through phishing SMS messages. The syndicate then used the stolen information to conduct large-value online purchases. In-depth investigation revealed that the group operated a phishing SMS distribution centre from an industrial building unit in Kwun Tong. Four men and women were subsequently arrested for "conspiracy to defraud", suspected to be linked to 25 phishing SMS fraud cases between January and March 25, involving impersonation of the Water Supplies Department, securities firms and retailers, with about HKD800,000 involved. (da/a) This article was automatically translated by AI, the Chinese version should be considered the authoritative version. AASTOCKS.com Limited does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness and accepts no liability for any damages or losses arising from the use of this translation. Auto-translated by AI AASTOCKS Financial News |
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