Hong Kong housewife allegedly ran HK$6 billion money-laundering syndicate, arrested with 8 others in record customs bust
- Officers reveal 9 suspects arrested after raid on Hung Hom flat in January
- Group believed to have used dozens of bank accounts over three-year period to launder money
A Hong Kong housewife, who allegedly ran a criminal syndicate that had used dozens of bank accounts to process HK$6 billion (US$768.2 million) in illegal funds, was among nine people arrested in the biggest money-laundering case in customs’ 114-year history.
Customs officials on Wednesday revealed the 56-year-old woman had been detained after officers on January 5 raided a Hung Hom flat that was used by the laundering racket as its operational centre.
At the premises, officers also arrested five members of the syndicate and seized HK$3.9 million in cash along with several banknote counters, bank cards and documents, as well as account books.
The other three suspects included a man and woman, aged 54 and 56, who were caught in Sha Tin. The remaining suspect who rented the Hung Hom flat – a 56-year-old woman – was arrested in North Point.
Senior Superintendent Rita Li Yim-ping, head of customs’ syndicate crimes investigation bureau, on Wednesday said officers also froze HK$16 million in bank accounts belonging to two of the suspects, which was linked to proceeds of the criminal activity.