Police have launched an enforcement operation to combat fraud activities. In a press briefing today (Aug. 16), police revealed that a total of 17 people had been arrested in the operation, aged between 20 and 54, comprising 14 men and 3 women. Among them, 13 are Southeast Asian nationals and 4 are local residents. Police raided three locations and successfully seized HK$3.67 million in cash, believed to be proceeds from fraud cases.
Over the past two months, police have arrested 12 Southeast Asian nationals across Hong Kong, all of whom claimed to be visiting the city as tourists and acted as couriers collecting defrauded funds. After intelligence analysis, the Kowloon West Regional Crime Unit identified a fraud syndicate operating from overseas. The criminal group used various channels to lure Southeast Asians to Hong Kong with promises of high pay to participate in fraud schemes, then arranged flight tickets and accommodation for them to serve as couriers collecting payments. After these individuals arrived in Hong Kong, the syndicate would call elderly victims, falsely claiming to be relatives or friends who had been arrested by police or were in urgent need of money, demanding cash. Believing the claims, the victims withdrew money from their homes or banks and handed it over to the syndicate members.
The Kowloon West Regional Crime Unit conducted in-depth analysis of relevant cases and reviewed extensive CCTV footage, identifying three locations in the Mong Kok area used by the syndicate to receive courier-collected funds. Among these, one virtual currency exchange centre and one money exchange shop were used as transit points for the syndicate's fraud proceeds, while another money exchange shop served as a storage centre for the funds.
On Aug. 14, police carried out further arrests. When officers spotted a syndicate courier handing over fraud proceeds to the virtual currency exchange centre, and the centre's operator later went to a bank to deposit the money, police immediately arrested the transit point operator and simultaneously raided all three locations.
Investigations showed that between June 4 and August 14, 2026, the three locations had collectively received HK$4.67 million in fraud proceeds. Officers seized HK$3.67 million in cash during the operation, believed to be derived from fraud cases. Police records show that 22 victims had filed reports, with total losses amounting to HK$2.47 million. The operation on Aug. 14 resulted in the arrest of five individuals, aged 21 to 54, including two local women, two local men (the operator and staff member of the above locations), and one Southeast Asian man (a syndicate courier). All five are currently in custody.
Investigations revealed that on that day, the courier had handed over HK$200,000 in fraud proceeds to the virtual currency exchange centre. When police traced the victim's identity, they found that the victim was still unaware of the scam and firmly believed the money had been given to the police. Officers successfully recovered the full HK$200,000 loss.
Police took this opportunity to urge members of the public to remind elderly family members to avoid falling victim to scams. Police reiterated that they would never ask anyone to pay bail money or other funds in any form to non-police personnel. If in doubt, please call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 18222.
Police noted that some money exchange shops or virtual currency exchange centres may be exploited by fraud syndicates to process or transfer illicit funds. Officers reminded relevant establishments to remain vigilant when handling transactions, understand their customers and the purpose of transactions, watch out for suspicious activities, keep records, and report as required by regulations, to avoid becoming tools for money laundering. If investigations reveal a direct link between a money exchange shop and a fraud syndicate, police will take enforcement action and may consider revoking licences in conjunction with the licensing authorities.
Related News:
China and Philippines apprehend gambling and telecom fraud suspect
Global Lens | Hidden dangers of marrying locals in Bangladesh
Comment