Hong Kong police flag syndicate ruse offering ‘poverty relief’ to ensnare elderly victims
Force arrests three alleged triad members and five elderly women in crackdown on racket that swindled more than 10 in July and August
Hong Kong police have highlighted a new ruse adopted by a money laundering syndicate that offers fake poverty relief incentives to trick elderly people, then uses their faces in a pretense of photo-taking to set up bank accounts to handle illegal funds.
The force revealed this tactic after arresting eight people in a crackdown on a local racket that swindled more than 10 elderly residents in July and August by offering them HK$1,500 (US$192) each from so-called kind-hearted donors.
A source familiar with the matter said on Thursday that police investigations were still ongoing to determine the extent of the scam’s impact on other residents.
“We believe the bank accounts [identified in the operation] have yet to be used for illicit activities,” the insider said.
He said the syndicate was allegedly operated by three suspected triad members who recruited five elderly women to hunt for victims.
“A preliminary investigation suggested the five were paid HK$500 to HK$1,500 to find a target,” the source said.