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The court heard that Gao's husband, Shi Yongbing (above), ran a Hong Kong company called Linkwell Worldtone Technology. He was arrested on the mainland in 2009 and jailed for nine years in 2011 for running an illegal direct sales business via Linkwell. Gao used many accounts, some in her name, others linked to Linkwell, at seven banks. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Housewife jailed in 'sophisticated' HK$240m money laundering case

Gao Ailing was involved in a 'sophisticated plan' to handle cash from her husband's company after he was jailed on the mainland, judge says

JULIE CHU

A mainland housewife who helped her jailed husband launder HK$240 million through seven Hong Kong banks has been jailed for four years and nine months for her role in the "sophisticated plan".

Gao Ailing, 40, pleaded guilty in the Court of First Instance to 14 counts of laundering money raised through her husband's illegal direct sales business on the mainland. The offences took place between January 2008 and June 2009, and in December 2011 and January 2012.

Sentencing Gao, Deputy Judge Mr Justice Albert Wong Sung-hau said: "It was a comparatively sophisticated plan, so it would be difficult for others to chase the origin of the fund.

"I have reasons to believe Gao knew she was laundering the funds and her role is important in the plan," he added.

Not only could Gao access the money, she also benefitted from it, the judge said. Evidence showed she had spent some of the money on insurance and investment funds. She also transferred HK$3 million to her personal account in Singapore.

He believed Gao had wanted to withdraw the full contents of one account under her control, a total of HK$202 million, before police arrested her.

Prosecutor Thomas Iu said the prosecution intended to seek a confiscation order for the money in Gao's accounts.

Gao had been charged with 20 counts involving a total of about HK$500 million. But prosecutors agreed that six of the charges would remain on file.

The court heard that Gao's husband, Shi Yongbing, ran a Hong Kong company called Linkwell Worldtone Technology. He was arrested on the mainland in 2009 and jailed for nine years in 2011 for running an illegal direct sales business via Linkwell.

Gao visited Hong Kong 47 times for a total of 148 days the period in question, the court was told. She used many accounts, some in her name, others linked to Linkwell, at seven banks.

Gao stopped coming to Hong Kong in July 2009 when she was arrested on the mainland for sheltering her husband. She was released in 2011 and visits resumed in November, the court heard.

After her arrest on January 16, 2012, she confessed that her husband asked her to manage Linkwell's money in May 2011.

Paul Leung, for Gao, said his client was not involved in her husband's business. She had wanted to move to Hong Kong in May 2008 and visited frequently. Her husband asked her to receive money in Hong Kong on his behalf, and she carried out the transactions according to Shi's instructions.

A prosecution expert in financial crime said money launderers commonly received money using various accounts, which would be closed after the funds were withdrawn. This was a way to hide the origin of funds.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Housewife in HK$240m launder case jailed
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