With the start of the World Cup every four years, criminals use the appeal of Internet celebrities (KOL) to lure them with money to promote illegal gambling networks on social media such as Instagram.
After investigation, the police arrested 7 women in multiple districts in Hong Kong last week (21st to 27th) on suspicion of "promoting or facilitating the acceptance of betting".
One of the KOLs had 76 e-cigarettes in his house and was arrested for "possession of the first poison".
In addition, in Sha Tin, the police seized a piece of commonly known as "wave cable paper" and a tablet computer on a 60-year-old man and in his residence, and found about 186,000 suspected football betting records. its arrest.
+4
Chief Inspector Chen Jiaying of the Third Team of the New Territories South Regional Crime Squad described the case, saying that the police noticed that some KOLs were using social media to promote illegal gambling websites. Intelligence analysis and in-depth investigation identified 7 KOLs. A number of residential units were raided in Mong Kok, Tsuen Wan, Tseung Kwan O, Wan Chai and Yuen Long districts for allegedly "promoting or facilitating the taking of bets". Seven local women aged between 20 and 30 were arrested.
One of the arrested persons reported as a beautician, another as an entertainer and the others as unemployed.
Since the police seized 76 e-cigarettes containing nicotine at the premises of one of the arrested persons in Tsuen Wan, they arrested the 21-year-old woman surnamed Chen for "possession of the first poison".
All arrested persons have been released on bail pending investigation and must report to the police in mid-December.
Chen Jiaying added that one of the arrested persons used other people's photos to open a fake social media account to attract attention.
During the operation, officers seized a total of 7 phones, 1 tablet computer and 1 laptop computer.
She pointed out that KOLs are used by lawbreakers to use their appeal to lure others to promote illegal gambling websites on public social media accounts and attract others to bet.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A), nicotine is a Part I poison, and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine are classified as pharmaceutical products.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) stipulates that all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market.
Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or first poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offense is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
Police officers seized 76 e-cigarettes containing nicotine at the residence of one of the arrested women. The 21-year-old woman surnamed Chen was also suspected of "possession of the first poison".
(Photo by Cai Zhengbang)
A man in Sha Tin was arrested for hiding 186,000 yuan in wave cables
In addition, the Criminal Department of the New Territories South Region launched an anti-illegal gambling operation code-named "CROWBEAK" and "WINDSHIELD" at about 1:00 pm yesterday (27th) in Sha Tin District. The suspicious man was intercepted, and a piece of commonly known as "wave cable paper" and a tablet computer were seized on him and in his residence.
Officers also found suspected football betting records of about 186,000 yuan in his residence.
The 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of "illegally taking bets". He has been released on bail pending further investigation and must report to the police in early December.
The police emphasized that they will continue to strengthen law enforcement during the World Cup. Members of the public must not participate in illegal gambling activities. Once convicted, the maximum penalty for the crime of promoting or facilitating betting and betting is a fine of 5 million and imprisonment for 7 years. Do not try your own law.
