Burst
Written by: Lu Jiayu
2019-12-19 17:46
Last updated: 2019-12-19 17:47After months of in-depth investigations, the police arrested four people this morning and arrested 3 men and 1 woman, aged between 17 and 50, including a student, involved in money laundering. During the operation, the police seized 130,000 cash, 6 arrows, two laser pens, a 160,000 supermarket cash roll and a large amount of personal protective equipment, and also frozen a 70 million yuan bank account.
A lot of suspicious cash transactions in the past six months
Senior Superintendent Chen Weiji, Acting Superintendent of the Wealth Investigation Unit of the Police Narcotics Bureau, said that the operation was an active investigation by a police company into a shell company. Inconsistent with the company's business, the police based on the characteristics of these money laundering main investigations whether it is related to money laundering or illegal activities. Chen Weiji stated that the police and the Department of Justice had conducted several rounds of discussions before the operation. Police found that the four arrested persons were connected with the Spark Alliance online crowdfunding platform.
Acting Senior Superintendent, Mr Chan Wai-kei, Wealth Investigation Team, Police Narcotics Bureau. (Photo by Huang Diwen)
Alleged support for social movement arrested last month
"Spark Alliance" is an organization that provides support to those arrested in social movements. After the riots in Mong Kok in 2016, "Spark Alliance" provided support to the arrested persons in the incident, including lawyers' fees. Supports demonstrators and arrested persons in anti-revision demonstrations. According to its website, support includes free arrests on bail and related legal consultations, escorting of arrested persons to and from court, emergency medical assistance, visits and assistance to prisoners and their families, and assistance in re-employment upon release.
“Spark Alliance” used to receive donations through bank accounts. On 21st of last month, “Spark Alliance” stated that its HSBC bank account ceased to operate, and that it had suspended receiving payments in the form of bank accounts. It also stated that citizens may consider supporting them by purchasing gift cards. The funds will continue to be used on arrested persons and their families.