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Fiona Sun

Hong Kong police have arrested 57 people, including a 14-year-old boy, in a crackdown on triad-linked illegal debt collection.
Police said on Saturday that the operation, launched last month, had dismantled an illegal debt collection syndicate, along with a prostitution venue, a drug den and three illegal gambling parlours.
Fifty-seven people, aged 14 to 70, were arrested and some of them had triad backgrounds, police said.
Inspector To Hing-lui said officers identified a triad-controlled illegal debt collection syndicate following an investigation, intelligence analysis and a review of surveillance footage.
The investigation found that the syndicate specifically recruited young people eager to make “quick cash” to take part in illegal debt collection through messaging apps and everyday social settings.
After securing debt collection orders via online groups or referrals from criminals, core members would use messaging groups under their management to subcontract the work to the young recruits for a fee ranging from HK$500 to HK$800.
Common collection tactics included splashing red paint, and making harassing phone calls or threats via WhatsApp.
To said officers intercepted a 14-year-old local boy during an operation on July 13 in Sau Mau Ping Estate, seizing a bottle of red paint and a knuckleduster from him. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing anything with intent to destroy or damage property and possessing prohibited weapons.

Officers also arrested the syndicate’s alleged mastermind, two core members and two operational members, aged 15 to 18, on July 13 and 14 on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
In a follow-up investigation between July 22 and Tuesday, police arrested another 10 people, including a mainland Chinese man, six local men and three local women, aged 18 to 58, on suspicion of criminal damage and criminal intimidation.
“There is a growing trend of younger people becoming core members of illegal debt collection syndicates,” To said.
“Young people are not only being recruited into operational teams, but are also being persuaded by criminals to act as recruiters because, compared with adults, they have more channels to reach other young people looking to make quick money.”
To said police also raided a prostitution venue, a drug den and three illegal gambling parlours from Tuesday to Thursday, arresting 41 people, aged 19 to 70.
He added that the operation was still under way to crack down on triad groups and their related illegal activities.
Chief Inspector Chung Man-ling warned teenagers not to take risks for quick money.
“Criminal intimidation and criminal damage are very serious offences. Upon conviction, they carry maximum penalties of imprisonment of five years and 10 years, respectively,” she said.


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Boy, 14, among 57 arrested in crackdown on triad-linked debt collection ring

Hong Kong police display evidence seized during their operation. Photo: YouTube

Chief Inspector Chung Man-ling urged teenagers not to take risks for quick money. Photo: YouTube

One of three illegal gambling parlours uncovered by police. Photo: YouTube

Police also dismantled a drug den during the operation. Photo: YouTube

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Condoms, mouthwash, lubricant, large quantities of alcohol and illicit drugs with an estimated street value of HK$190,000 was seized during the raids in Hung Hom. Photo: Edmond So

(From left) Chief Inspector Alex Yau Yu-sing of Kowloon West’s regional anti-triad unit with Superintendent Ching Chi-yan and Chief Inspector Yim Wan-ha at a press briefing. Photo: Edmond So

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Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Hong Kong police also dismantle prostitution venue, drug den and three illegal gambling parlours in operation


Hong Kong police also dismantle prostitution venue, drug den and three illegal gambling parlours in operation.


Crime

Hong Kong police

Drugs

China

Boy, 14, among 57 arrested in crackdown on triad-linked debt collection ring

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong police also dismantle prostitution venue, drug den and three illegal gambling parlours in operation

Hong Kong police also dismantle prostitution venue, drug den and three illegal gambling parlours in operation