Seven mainlanders in gang arrested over cheating Hong Kong women out of more than HK$2 million in roadside blessing scams
- Three men and five women, including a Hongkonger, were picked up when officers raided their hideout in a Sham Shui Po flat on Thursday
- The seven mainlanders had entered the city illegally, police say, warning residents to stay vigilant against such crimes
Seven mainland Chinese residents entering Hong Kong illegally are among a gang of suspected swindlers who have been arrested on suspicion of cheating local women out of more than HK$2 million (US$258,000) in roadside blessing scams.
The commercial crime bureau began investigating the syndicate after noticing a rise in the number of spiritual blessing scams last year.
According to the force, the number of such cases doubled to 32 in 2020 from 15 in 2019. The amount involved also rose 212 per cent to HK$7.5 million last year from HK$2.4 million the year before.
The gang – involving three men and five women – was picked up when officers raided their hideout in a Sham Shui Po flat on Thursday. One of the women is a local resident, while the other seven came to the city from the mainland illegally.
During the operation, one of the men resisted arrest and injured an officer before being subdued, according to police.
Senior Inspector Cheung Man-hon of the commercial crime bureau said police believed the gang ran blessing scams in various parts of the city between October last year and March this year and duped 11 Hongkongers out of HK$2.1 million.