Police are investigating an alleged theft case involving 15 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department staff after a reported Mark Six win worth more than HK$30 million. The 36-year-old man surnamed Ling, who was reportedly involved in the group, is being sought. The allegations and the arrangement for dividing the prize have not been established.
The staff members were reportedly from the department’s revitalised markets team. Ling is said to have pooled money with 14 colleagues to buy the ticket and to have been responsible for placing the bet and collecting any winnings.
The ticket reportedly won after the Mark Six draw on 5 September 2026, with reports putting the prize at more than HK$30 million. Accounts differ on whether it involved half of a jackpot-winning share or a multiple-entry ticket, and on the exact payout. The draw’s reported jackpot fund was HK$228 million, with 3.5 winning shares paying about HK$63.37 million each.
Reports said the winnings were deposited into an account controlled or held by Ling, while he and the other staff members could not agree on how the money should be distributed.
Star Headline reported that Ling was accused of rejecting an equal split and seeking about HK$10 million or a larger share. Those claims have not been independently confirmed, and police have not established what agreement, if any, the group made before buying the ticket.
The group reportedly held discussions about the distribution near its office in Wong Chuk Hang on the evening of 9 September, but no agreement was reached. Reports differ on the subsequent timing: Ling was said to have become unreachable after the discussions or to have been absent from work for several days. His colleagues then contacted police.
Police said on 11 September that officers were investigating a theft case involving Ling and his 14 colleagues and were looking for him. The FEHD said it was aware of the investigation and would co-operate as necessary, but that it could not comment on details while the investigation was under way.