Hong Kong police said 116 people aged between 17 and 77 were arrested across Hong Kong during an operation linked to 81 suspected fraud cases involving about HK$190 million. The arrests took place from 14 to 24 September and were made by the West Kowloon Regional Headquarters and its divisional criminal investigation units.
The people arrested were suspected of offences involving obtaining property by deception and handling property believed to represent the proceeds of an indictable offence, commonly known as money laundering, and most were suspected of being mule-account holders. The suspected cases included online-shopping, investment, employment and telephone scams.
Police said they would consult the Department of Justice about seeking tougher penalties when prosecuting mule-account holders for money laundering. Anyone with suspicions can seek help through the police’s 24-hour anti-fraud hotline on 18222.