Hong Kong police seize pepper spray gun, handcuffs, baton after arresting man in connection with online employment scam
- Suspect allegedly bought items to ‘live out his fantasy of becoming a policeman’, insider reveals
- Police arrested man after discovering his bank account had been used to collect money from two women who fell for job offer scams
A source familiar with the case said on Tuesday that a preliminary investigation suggested the suspect could have bought the items to “live out his fantasy of becoming a police officer”.
The man, a warehouse attendant, was detained on Monday on suspicion of money laundering after officers discovered his bank account had been used to collect money from two women who fell for job offer scams, the insider said.
“The suspect claimed he sold his bank account to an unknown person in Tsim Sha Tsui for HK$2,000 [US$255],” he said.
Among the items seized in a follow-up raid inside the suspect’s Wang Pok Street flat in Sha Tin were two pepper spray canisters, two imitation handguns, four empty cartridges and two certificates purportedly issued by the force, according to the source.
Possession of imitation firearms is punishable by up to two years in jail. In Hong Kong, imitation firearms can refer to models and toy guns, air guns or guns used in war games.
Police then arrested the man over additional offences for possessing unlicensed firearms, imitation and offensive weapons, and fake documents, as well as obtaining property by deception.