Hong Kong police uncovered a criminal gang that laundered HK$30 million through virtual currencies and arrested 12 people

The Hong Kong police launched anti-money laundering operations code-named "Hammer" and "Strike" on the 8th, arresting a total of 12 people. They were suspected of laundering approximately HK$30 million in fraudulent money through large withdrawals and virtual currency transactions. . The Police noticed that a large amount of criminal proceeds of fraud flowed into local bank accounts from January to October this year. The Financial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau launched an in-depth investigation and found that the proceeds of crime involved 32 local and overseas phone scams and investment scams. The money flowed into 54 local bank accounts. The victim’s losses in the case amounted to HK$97 million. The case with the highest amount of money involved involved more than HK$2.4 million. After investigation, a local money laundering criminal group was identified and recruited relatives and friends to open a large number of bank accounts. , through mobile dating apps, solicited high-return investment plans to lure victims into transferring money to the bank accounts involved. After receiving the fraudulent money, group members withdrew large amounts of cash in a short period of time, then purchased virtual currencies and sold them repeatedly. Buy and sell to conceal the source of funds. The police raided multiple locations the day before yesterday, including two virtual currency investment companies, and arrested 5 men and 7 women. 11 people were suspected of conspiracy to launder money, and 1 person was suspected of obstructing office work. They were aged between 20 and 45 years old and were suspected of using large sums of money. Withdrawing and trading virtual currencies, approximately HK$30 million in black money was laundered. During the operation, approximately HK$1.2 million in cash, more than 25 bank cards, multiple smartphones and computers were seized. 12 people are being detained by the police, and the police do not rule out the possibility of more people. Arrested.