Price of ‘easy money’: Hong Kong teens held over alleged illegal debt collection
Investigations suggest two boys, 16, were allegedly offered wages of up to HK$1,000 a day by gangs to take part in illegal debt collection
Two 16-year-old boys in Hong Kong have been arrested for loitering after allegedly being recruited to take part in illegal debt collection, with offers of up to HK$1,000 (US$127) per day.
The police said on Thursday that the teenagers were spotted acting suspiciously by an off-duty officer at Po Tat Estate in Sau Mau Ping on Wednesday morning.
The officer identified himself and conducted a search, finding documents and tools associated with illicit debt collection.
Initial investigations suggest the boys were offered daily wages ranging from HK500 to HK1,000 for carrying out the illegal activities.
Investigators believed the boys had been recruited by criminal groups looking to exploit young people with the promise of quick money.
The case has been transferred to the Sau Mau Ping district investigation team.