A suspected overseas illicit group has been linked to a string of columbarium thefts in Hong Kong, targeting the ashes of deceased celebrities, including renowned martial artist and filmmaker Lau Kar-leung. Reports indicate that some relatives of the deceased have received extortion calls demanding significant ransoms for the return of the ashes.
Sources said one suspect was arrested, with ongoing investigations revealing that the group may consist of at least four members involved in both the theft and the extortion acts. A court has mandated confidentiality regarding the victims' identities and details of the case.
Mary Jean Reimer, Lau's wife, has publicly stated that she will not yield to ransom demands regarding her husband's ashes.
Mary Jean Reimer, Lau Kar-leung and their children.
Lau Kar-leung
In a recent statement, she revealed that she has been enduring cyberbullying, including alarming rumors that her husband's remains would be exhumed. Reimer suspects these threats stem from her actions exposing misconduct within the Buddhist community.
According to the exclusive report from Sing Tao Daily, the sister publication of The Standard, the ashes of several high-profile figures were taken from Po Fook Hill in Sha Tin by a criminal syndicate, which is believed to have connections to mainland China, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian countries.
Families of the victims received threats demanding tens of millions of dollars, with warnings that failure to comply would lead to the disposal of the ashes.
A reporter of Singtao Daily inspected the Po Fook Hill and found Lau's niche is intact, with no signs of prying shown, indicating the thieves' sophisticated methods.
The reporter found that a CCTV camera was out of its bracket and a nearby abandoned temple is suspected to have served as a hideout for the culprits. Evidence indicates that the thieves left the area after cutting through a fence, possibly traversing near Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.
Reimer said she was notified by the staff from Po Fook Hill that Lau's ash was stolen at the end of August and called the police. Officers confirmed that only a red cloth and a yellow cloth -- originally wrapped the urns
-- along with a memorial booklet commemorating Lau's life were left behind in the niche.
She speculated that the thieves, besides asking for money, might also be motivated by her exposure of scandalous activities within the Buddhist community, which had offended others.
After East Week published her report on the "meat-eating monk" incident last March, a woman surnamed Yu repeatedly made false accusations against her through online livestreaming and social media. This year, Yu has repeatedly threatened to "dig up the graves and whip the corpses" of Lau and Lau's deceased mother.
Following the incident, Po Fook Hill said it has strengthened the security power, including installing more CCTV cameras.
A citizen, surnamed Cheung, said that he was not worried about the ashes of his ancestors being stolen, believing that the thieves were targeting celebrities.
"I don't have much money, so the thief won't threaten me. They don't even know where I live and how to contact me," he said.
Research shows that many celebrities have their ashes placed in Po Fook Hill, including artists such as Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing, Roman Tam, and Lydia Shum Tin-ha.
The price of each niche is determined by its location, elevation, and number of rows, which can range from hundreds of thousands of dollars.
