Customs inspect counterfeit handbags, revealing money laundering activities, couple laundered 42 million in 7 years

In 2016, when the customs investigated a cross-border sale of counterfeit handbags, it was found that between 2009 and 2016, a couple used multiple local bank accounts to receive remittances from unknown origins in more than 20 countries, involving more than 3,000 suspicious transactions. , the amount reached HKD 42 million.

After interrogation earlier, the couple were convicted of four counts of money laundering.

Judge Ye Zuowen today (21) sentenced the District Court that the crime involved lasted 7 years, and the male defendant was the mastermind of the case and sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison; the female defendant just followed the male defendant's instructions and was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months.

The female defendant, Pan Jingkan, and the male defendant, Chen Xiaorong, were charged with three counts of money laundering; Chen was also charged with one count of money laundering.

Disproportionate financial and tax records of two defendants

Deng Huiyan, Acting Senior Superintendent of the Organised Crime Investigation Division of the Customs, said outside the court that the Customs' investigation in 2016 found that the huge remittance of HK$42 million involved in the case was completely disproportionate to the financial status and tax records of the two defendants. The bank collects and sells counterfeit handbags, and conducts money laundering activities to launder the proceeds of these crimes. Two defendants were arrested in 2016, and they were formally charged with four counts of money laundering in 2019.

Customs welcomes ruling

Tang continued to point out that Customs faced many challenges in investigating cases, such as many cross-border elements, complicated capital flows, and the need to use remote hearings when calling overseas witnesses.

Now that the case is over, the Customs welcomes the ruling and believes that the sentence has a deterrent effect. It clearly indicates that money laundering is a serious crime, and the Customs will continue to strictly enforce the law.

Case No.: DCCC 309/2022

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