Police Commissioner Joe Chow Yat-ming confirmed that the off-duty police officer who was suspected of being coerced into a scam farm in Cambodia is now safe.
Chow stated Sunday that the involved officer is currently located in Cambodia, and a team will be deployed to assist.
When asked about potential operations, Chow said details will be made public after the assessments are completed.
Reports suggested that the officer -- stationed at the Ma On Shan Division -- has taken leave to take care of his mother, who he claimed was seriously injured in a traffic accident in Guangxi.
He reportedly made multiple calls with no caller ID on last Wednesday (Aug 27) to the Ma On Shan police station, stating his full name as well as his police identification numbers to request assistance.
The officer reported being taken to a scam farm but managed to escape and sought assistance from a local police station in Cambodia.
Sources suggested that the officer's warrant card may have prevented him from being beaten up by the scammers, who abandoned the officer upon realizing his identity.
The Immigration Department is coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia to provide assistance and follow up on the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Security Bureau also expressed concern about the trend of Hongkongers being tricked and detained at the scam farms in Southeast Asia.
It is reported that there have been 29 reported cases since last year, excluding the latest one as of yesterday (Aug 30).
Notably, 26 individuals had returned to Hong Kong, with two not requiring further assistance or follow-up.
