31 arrested for fraud and money laundering involving $34mn, including HKPL footballer

Police have cracked a crime syndicate that exploited deepfake technology to deceive victims into online romances, ultimately coercing them into investing in cryptocurrency to swindle out HK$34 million in total.

Officers announced Sunday that they had arrested 31 individuals, aged 20 to 34, from the group since last Thursday (Jan 2) and seized multiple phones, computers, and luxury brand products as well as suspected crime proceeds amounting to HK$10 million.

It was learned that a football player from the Hong Kong Premier League (HKPL) is among the arrestee.

Police said the syndicate operates two offices at Kowloon Bay and recruits youngsters, including university students, to target victims through online dating platforms to scam out from their pockets.

The group also provides training and notes for its members to help them craft their self-image as wealthy interest users in order to lure victims into investing in cryptocurrency.

It was learned that the victims mainly originated in Taiwan and Singapore, while police would collaborate with Interpol to follow up on the case.

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