Government bid to auction confiscated goods online
Two mainland provinces already sell such items on the Taobao site and at least one police force in Britain is using eBay to sell goods seized from criminals.
The government is studying the feasibility of selling confiscated goods such as cars at "electronic auctions".
Two mainland provinces already sell such items on the Taobao site and at least one police force in Britain is using eBay to sell goods seized from criminals.
The Government Logistics Department said the study was at a preliminary stage and it had not decided what platform to use.
Auctions are held every two weeks in Chai Wan, where bidders must attend in person. The department raised HK$42.8 million last year from auctions, up from HK$13 million in 2011.
A spokeswoman attributed the sharp rise to sales of precious metals and more electronic goods and computer accessories. Some goods, such as ivory tusks, endangered animals and drugs, are not auctioned.
Zhejiang and Yunnan provinces started selling items and properties confiscated by courts last year on Taobao.
A search at the dedicated page for "court auctions" found a steel company was being auctioned with a starting price of 16.6 million yuan (HK$21 million) and an Audi car from 210,000 yuan.