Hong Kong Customs detects money laundering case involving about $3.6 million following infringement investigation
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In May this year, Customs detected an online shop offering counterfeit perfumes and skincare products for sale and arrested a 37-year-old local man. A subsequent financial investigation and fund-flow analysis revealed that the arrested person operated an infringing business and utilised bank accounts of another person to receive about $3.6 million in suspected criminal proceeds between February 2024 and May 2026.
Customs today arrested the local man for "dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence" (commonly known as money laundering) under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (OSCO) and searched his residential premises. During the operation, a batch of items suspected to be connected with the case was seized.
The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation. An investigation is ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Under OSCO, a person commits an offence if he or she deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly represents any person's proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 years, while the crime proceeds are also subject to confiscation.
Members of the public may report any suspected money laundering activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:45
Issued at HKT 18:45
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