SIX people were arrested yesterday in raids on several solicitors firms and real estate agents under suspicion in kickback rackets aimed at ripping off home-buyers.
More than 50 Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) officers searched 12 premises - including five legal firms - and interviewed more than 80 people following an intensive year-long investigation.
The owner of a Tai Po real estate firm and his wife were arrested at home shortly after dawn to be later followed by three agency branch managers and a solicitor's clerk. All will be on ICAC bail while investigations continue.
It is understood the Tai Po firm had been under surveillance for several months.
The Post understands evidence has been uncovered involving under-the-table rebates paid by solicitors to agents for referring buyers to them for conveyancing in some 29 property deals.
Most of the property is mid-range residential units bought by private individuals at blocks in Tai Po and elsewhere in the New Territories, Kowloon and Hong Kong.
