Deep Dive: Why are more Hong Kong young offenders getting involved in money laundering and fraud cases?

Hong Kong police have vowed to step up efforts to combat money laundering and fraud committed by juveniles. This is in response to a worrying increase in the number of young people aged between 10 and 20 who were arrested for such crimes.

“Among all crimes committed by people between the ages of 10 and 20, we have noticed a remarkable increase in fraud and money laundering,” Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu Chak-yee said.

According to police figures, the number of arrested youngsters between those ages in the first half of this year increased by 22.8 per cent compared with the same period in 2022. The force said the increase was because of the return of normality after pandemic-related rules were lifted earlier this year. But Siu noted the number of those arrested was still lower than the average annual figure of 1,710 over the past 10 years.

A total of 113 youngsters were arrested for money laundering in the first half of this year, 26 more than those detained in all of 2022. Police said the youngsters were lured into lending their bank accounts to criminals for fraud-related activities.

The number of young people arrested for fraud doubled from 102 in the first six months of 2022, to 217 over the same period this year. Siu said the force tried to tackle the crime through different media platforms, but he questioned if people were actually listening to the advice.

“Many skip the materials as they believe they will not fall victim to being deceived into committing fraud. There will be new kinds of fraud from time to time, and if you’re not well-informed, you might fall into the traps,” he said. He stressed that society needed to work together to help youngsters be more aware of fraud.

The force’s public relations wing started distributing 50,000 anti-crime booklets last week to 1,000 primary and secondary schools, 20 sponsoring bodies, public libraries and about 200 youth service centres.

Senior Superintendent Leung Chung-man of the public relations wing said different schools had praised the booklet after its first launch last year, prompting the force to release 10,000 extra copies this year.

Police have also made five anti-crime videos and prepared teaching materials for instructors looking to inform youngsters. “We need to educate them while they are young,” Siu said.
Staff writer

Question prompts:

1. What measures have the police force taken to combat the increasing number of youth crimes in Hong Kong?
(1) prepared educational materials that teachers can use
(2) created videos warning youngsters against committing crime
(3) circulated educational materials to schools and organisations

A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. all of the above

2. What reason did the police give in News for the rise in crime rates between the first half of 2022 and the same time period in 2023?

3. Apart from the measures mentioned in News, suggest TWO other ways the city can tackle youth crimes. Explain using your own knowledge.

Young offenders getting more involved in fraud cases on promises of quick cash

Question prompts:

1. What do the items in the background of the illustration depict?

2. Out of all these items, which ones best represent the data mentioned in News?

Hong Kong students made up fifth of online blackmail cases involving naked photos in first half of year

• Top offence of young offenders shifted over the past year from criminal damage to deception

• Children as young as 13 have been targeted on social media for debt collection jobs that lead to crime

Chan Fung* was 13 when he was approached at a billiards club and offered car rides, fancy meals and, eventually, membership to a triad group. He wanted to rely on himself and “do something special”.

Over a year-long period, he was involved in multiple violent acts ranging from assault to extortion and illegal detention of debtors. He could get at least HK$1,000 for each assignment.

His crime spree ended when he was arrested last September. He spent a year on remand at Pik Uk Prison, and is out on bail awaiting his sentence. “If I faced my old self in the mirror now, I would say he only did stupid things,” Chan said.

Senior Superintendent Leung Chung-man from the police public relations wing said criminals often misled their young recruits into believing that they would not get into serious trouble if caught, and many arrested youths thought they would be let off with just a formal warning. He said juvenile criminals detained or sent to training centres were left with criminal records.

According to social worker Wandy Wan Kit-yin, she had noticed more being recruited to splash red paint at debtors’ homes or extort from them over the past two years. Children as young as 13 had fallen prey to criminal recruitment on social media, where debt collection jobs were advertised as lucrative temporary gigs, whereas some were drawn in by peers.

“If you asked them if they knew this could be illegal, I think they were aware, or at least could guess,” said Wan. She added that some younger offenders fooled themselves into believing they were “merely collecting money” instead of intimidating or extorting from their victims.

Meanwhile, criminologist Eric Chui Wing-hong of Polytechnic University said children who drifted into delinquency in hopes of making quick money were often dissatisfied with their school or social life as a result of their low levels of skill, motivation and education, which make it hard for them to succeed in conventional paths.

Chui urged the government to ramp up justice education to teach students about the city’s legal system and how the courts worked. But to tackle the crux of delinquency, he said, Hong Kong’s youth needed to develop more empathy and have hope for their future.

“We need moral education that isn’t just about rules and principles, but emotions to let them understand the impact of their actions,” Chui said. “If they have skills and hope, change will come naturally.”
*Not his real name

Staff writer

Question prompts:

1. What are the factors mentioned in Issue that might be leading youngsters to commit crime?
(1) complicated family backgrounds
(2) not fully understanding the consequences of their actions
(3) unhappiness with their school or social life

A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. all of the above

2. How might teaching students about the city’s legal system help combat juvenile delinquency in Hong Kong? Explain using Issue and your own knowledge.

3.“If they [youth in Hong Kong] have skills and hope, change will come naturally.” What skills is Chui likely refering to, and how far do you agree with him? Explain your answer based on Issue and your own knowledge.

Police in Hong Kong record 29 per cent rise in child abuse cases

Question prompts:

1. Which of the following statements is true, based on information in the chart?
(1) The most common juvenile crime is fraud.
(2) There is a rise in serious assault cases.
(3) Disorder in public spaces is not as common as other juvenile offences.

A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. all of the above

2. Pick TWO offences from this chart that were mentioned in News or Issue. Suggest initiatives that could tackle these crimes at their source.

Hong Kong sees drop in email phishing cases, but scam drill shows cybersecurity awareness ‘still lacking’

• anti-crime booklets: refers to booklets distributed by the Hong Kong police. They cover money laundering, fraud, online dating traps, bullying and triad-related offences. Each section describes a real-life account, related laws and court rulings and offers tips on how to educate teens and spot warning signs.

• assault: refers to the crime of attacking somebody physically. In Hong Kong, the penalty for assault varies depending on the seriousness of the crime.

• criminal record: refers to an official record of crimes that a person has committed. A criminal record cannot be deleted unless the offender successfully appeals their case in court. But a person’s criminal record can be considered “spent” under certain conditions. A person with a “spent” conviction can reply “no” if asked by employers if they have a criminal record, but this does not apply to some high-ranking professions.

• extortion: refers to using force, violence, or intimidation to get money, property, or services from another person. The maximum punishment in Hong Kong is 14 years imprisonment.

• fraud: the crime of getting money by deceiving people. The maximum punishment in Hong Kong is 10 years’ imprisonment.

• juvenile criminals: refers to crimes committed by individuals under 16. In Hong Kong, no person under the age of 10 can be found guilty of an offence. Young persons aged between 14 and 15 cannot be sentenced to imprisonment if they can be “dealt with in any other way”. Courts cannot sentence a young person from age 16 to 20 to imprisonment unless “no other method of dealing with such a person is appropriate”. This does not apply to all offences.

• money laundering: the crime of moving money obtained illegally to make it seem as if the money has been obtained legally. The maximum punishment in Hong Kong is 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million.

Hong Kong police work to combat money laundering, fraud committed by youngsters

News
1. D
2. The return of normality following the lifting of pandemic-related social-distancing curbs earlier this year.
3. The city can strengthen community outreach programmes, implementing more initiatives like mentorship programs, after-school activities, and youth centres that provide the youth with a safe space, positive alternatives, and support networks. / Educational curriculum on financial literacy and ethics should also be enhanced. By introducing comprehensive educational programmes which focus on financial literacy, ethical decision-making, and critical thinking, young individuals can be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed choices, reducing their susceptibility to fraud and money laundering activities. (accept other reasonable answers)

Illustration
1. They depict different sorts of crimes.
2. The coins, bills and the phone screen best represent the fraud and money laundering crimes mentioned in News.

Issue
1. C
2. Education about the legal system can provide students with a clear understanding of the potential consequences of their actions. It also acts as a deterrent as some young recruits in criminal activities are often misled into thinking they won’t face serious trouble. By learning about the penalties for criminal offences, as well as responsibility and accountability, students become more aware of the risks involved.
3. I fully agree with Chui. It is important to provide youth in Hong Kong with essential skills and a positive outlook to reduce delinquency because many young individuals often lack essential skills, motivation, and education, which contributes to their dissatisfaction with school and social life and makes it challenging for them to succeed through conventional means. Skills such as problem-solving, communication, and conflict resolution can play a powerful role in reducing crime and promoting positive behaviour. When young people have these skills, they are less likely to turn to crime as a way to cope with their problems. They are also more likely to be successful in school and in their careers, which can keep them out of trouble. (accept other reasonable answers)

Chart
1. B
2. To address the issue of deception and fraud, social workers should do a study on those committing these crimes to figure out their various reasons for doing. If they are experiencing financial difficulties or are bored in school, social workers should devise plans for intervention and support for these issues. / In regards to assault, I agree with Chui that emotional education is necessary for students to build their empathy. (accept other reasonable answers)