Hong Kong is trying to shake its reputation as a haven for dirty money, but has it done enough?
- As the escalating US-China trade war puts Hong Kong in a tight spot, the city has stepped up efforts to put an end to money laundering
- Much has changed since Mr Clean toted cash-stuffed golf bags, but technological advances havenât ended the practice

Bruce Aitken, aka Mr Clean, had it easy when he trotted around the globe laundering millions of dollars in the late 1970s and 80s. All he needed was a plane ticket and his golf bag.
If bank officials showed an interest in the provenance of the cash, the American would swiftly change the subject to rugby and ask if anyone was up for lunch and a beer. When he arrived back in Hong Kong following trips abroad his banker would roll out the red carpet. âThe head cashier was a good friend.â
Fast forward 30 years and Aitken shakes his head when asked how he might go about it today.
âItâs a lot more sophisticated now,â he says. âThere is a big industry of complÂiance. Back in the day, our KYC [know your customer] was to cut a dollar bill in half.â Whoever held the other half, that was who you dealt with.

Each year, an estimated US$2 trillion is laundered around the world, according to the United Nations. There are no credible figures for Hong Kong, but the government admitted last year that its open financial system means there is a âmedium-highâ risk of money laundering taking place.