Eight arrested over upskirt image-sharing site, including teachers and social workers

Police have arrested eight additional suspects, believed to be subscribers of an online platform that shared upskirt images–two months after the group was dismantled. 

The group, first uncovered in August, operated a channel on social media to post previews of explicit videos and photos—including upskirt images of students—filmed on public transport, in MTR stations, and shopping malls. 

Reports indicate that the channel has been active for three years, amassing nearly 9,000 members, 800 of whom were VIPs.

Members could pay several hundred to HK$2,000 per item for specific content or become VIP members through a one-time fee.

The initial police operation in August led to the arrest of 10 individuals, including an unemployed married couple accused of leading the group, four core members involved in filming, and four family members who assisted in money laundering.

The platform reportedly generated around HK$4 million in criminal proceeds, which were allegedly funneled through bank accounts belonging to the couple’s relatives.

In the latest arrests, the eight suspects aged between 18 to41—including professionals from education, construction, and clerical sectors—are believed to be paying members of the platform. They are currently detained for further investigation.

Following the operation, 12 mobile phones, two laptops, and four pinhole cameras were seized.

A police spokesperson condemned the operation as a "vicious ecosystem", where offenders sell their footage to channel administrators, who then distribute the content for a fee.

The authorities further pointed out that even those who are merely paying members could be "accomplices" for promoting the act of filming upskirting photos. 

The investigation is ongoing , with further arrests possible. 

Under the current law, unlawfully recording or publishing intimate images without consent carries a maximum five-year prison sentence in Hong Kong.

In addition to law enforcement, authorities are collaborating with stakeholders such as shopping malls and public transport to raise public awareness through educational campaigns.

Citizens who witness acts of voyeurism are advised to intervene safely or report to the police to assist in apprehending the offenders.