Hong Kong police arrest 3 women for allegedly conspiring to launder HK$33 million
- Police made the arrests following botched robbery involving one of the suspects
Hong Kong police have arrested three women for allegedly conspiring to launder HK$33 million (US$4.2 million) in suspected illicit proceeds after seizing the money at their flat.
The force said on Thursday the suspects were a mainland Chinese visitor, 27, her local relative, 55, and a 65-year-old friend of the latter.
Chief Inspector Alex Yau Yu-sing said the money found hidden in suitcases and a safe in a Sham Shui Po flat was in different denominations of HK$100, HK$500 and HK$1,000.
“As the three women were unable to provide a reasonable explanation for the origin and purpose of the large sum of cash, police arrested them for conspiracy of money laundering,” Yau said.
The investigation was launched by the Kowloon West regional crime unit following a botched robbery in Sham Shui Po on Tuesday night.
The mainland woman was attacked by two men who tried to snatch her luggage, which had HK$9 million inside, on Tai Po Road in the district at around 7pm, according to police.
Yau said the two robbers were forced to escape empty-handed due to the resistance from passers-by and the woman, who escaped the incident unharmed.