Exclusive | HK$20 billion-a-month surge in suspicious ATM withdrawals hits Hong Kong banks after Macau rolls out facial recognition
Phenomenon emerges after neighbouring casino hub steps up security and Beijing sets strict limits on ATM use, leaving Hong Kong as a clear target for ‘money withdrawal gangs’
Hong Kong banks have been hit by an unprecedented HK$20 billion-a-month (US$2.55 billion) surge in suspicious ATM withdrawals, exposing a legal loophole which could deal a significant blow to the battle China is waging against illicit capital flight via its notorious underground banking system.
This left Hong Kong – where the holder-authorised use of multiple bank cards by someone else is perfectly legal – as an obvious replacement. According to sources who have spoken to the South China Morning Post, an individual can withdraw up to HK$30 million a day.
In a letter of complaint sent on Thursday to the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering – a regional offshoot of the respected Financial Action Task Force of which mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are members – banking insiders estimate that across the city’s ATM network up to HK$20 billion a month is being withdrawn.