Two foreign nationals arrested in Wan Chai for producing counterfeit HK banknotes

Hong Kong police have dismantled a counterfeit currency operation, arresting an American man and a Filipino woman alleged to be the masterminds behind a scheme that produced fake HK$100 bills.

The arrests took place on Tuesday at a guesthouse on Hennessy Road in Wan Chai, where officers discovered a makeshift printing facility.

According to the West Kowloon Regional Crime Unit, which acted on intelligence and conducted a thorough investigation, the duo was apprehended around 1pm.

The 54-year-old US national and the 50-year-old Filipino woman, who was found to be a recognisance form holder, are believed to be the heads of the syndicate.

During the raid, police seized 66 counterfeit HK$100 banknotes, along with the production tools, which included a computer, an inkjet printer, metallic pigments, and paper with a texture closely resembling genuine Hong Kong currency.

Preliminary investigations indicate the group is connected to several cases last month where counterfeit banknotes were passed off as real.

In those incidents, offenders primarily used fake HK$100 and HK$500 notes to pay for taxi fares. The two suspects are currently in custody as the investigation continues.