Five arrested over eMPF scam, $1.8m stolen

Police have dismantled a fraud and money-laundering syndicate linked to the eMPF platform, arresting five men on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.

The arrests were made on Wednesday (Dec 17). The suspects, aged between 28 and 65, include the alleged mastermind and core members of the group. Police said the syndicate used forged Hong Kong identity cards to impersonate MPF contributors, open accounts on the eMPF platform, and siphon off retirement funds.

Superintendent Ferris Cheung Hau-yee of the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau said the identities of 12 MPF contributors were compromised. Of these, the fraudsters successfully transferred about HK$1.8 million in MPF funds from three victims’ accounts.

Another six contributors had accounts opened in their names, but no funds were transferred, while the personal data of three others was leaked, though no accounts were opened, police said.

Investigations also revealed that the syndicate was involved in laundering up to HK$78 million in suspected crime proceeds.