Filipinos in HK warned vs money laundering rings
THE Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Hong Kong warned Filipinos against money laundering syndicates that target foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who steal their personal details to create "stooge" bank accounts. There were over 196,000 Filipino workers, mostly household helpers, in Hong Kong in 2023. The PCG, in an advisory on Facebook, cautioned Filipino workers as well as Filipino tourists in Hong Kong against sharing copies of their identification or travel documents with strangers. Many FDWs were victimized by money laundering syndicates who offered payment of at least HK$500 in exchange for the FDWs' Hong Kong identification (ID) and for a photograph of their face supposedly to activate an online game, the PCG said. "Unfortunately, the supposed online game is actually a virtual bank app, and the syndicates would use the Hong Kong ID and photograph taken from the target FWD to open a bank account," the PCG said. After the syndicates have opened a virtual bank account under the FDW's name, they will then use it as a "stooge account" wherein the proceeds of criminal activities will be deposited and "later on withdrawn for money laundering purposes," it added. The consulate said that the syndicates also use the lost ATM (automated teller machine) cards of FDWs in creating bank accounts to stash their money from illegal activities. "Unfortunately, some FDWs write their personal identification numbers (PINs) on their ATM cards. This allows the syndicates to use the bank account as a stooge account for money laundering," the PCG said. The consulate reminded the public, especially FDWs, not to share copies of their Hong Kong IDs, passports, ATMs and other personal documents with strangers. In case of lost Hong Kong IDs, passports and ATMs, they were advised to report immediately to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, the Consulate, and/or to their respective banks to avoid the possibility that the said personal documents will be used for money laundering purposes. The PCG said that under the Hong Kong Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, money laundering is punishable with a fine of up to HK$5 million and imprisonment of up to 14 years per offense.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Hong Kong warned Filipinos against money laundering syndicates that target foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who steal their personal details to create "stooge" bank accounts.
There were over 196,000 Filipino workers, mostly household helpers, in Hong Kong in 2023.
The PCG, in an advisory on Facebook, cautioned Filipino workers as well as Filipino tourists in Hong Kong against sharing copies of their identification or travel documents with strangers.
Many FDWs were victimized by money laundering syndicates who offered payment of at least HK$500 in exchange for the FDWs' Hong Kong identification (ID) and for a photograph of their face supposedly to activate an online game, the PCG said.
"Unfortunately, the supposed online game is actually a virtual bank app, and the syndicates would use the Hong Kong ID and photograph taken from the target FWD to open a bank account," the PCG said.
After the syndicates have opened a virtual bank account under the FDW's name, they will then use it as a "stooge account" wherein the proceeds of criminal activities will be deposited and "later on withdrawn for money laundering purposes," it added.
The consulate said that the syndicates also use the lost ATM (automated teller machine) cards of FDWs in creating bank accounts to stash their money from illegal activities.
"Unfortunately, some FDWs write their personal identification numbers (PINs) on their ATM cards. This allows the syndicates to use the bank account as a stooge account for money laundering," the PCG said.
The consulate reminded the public, especially FDWs, not to share copies of their Hong Kong IDs, passports, ATMs and other personal documents with strangers.
In case of lost Hong Kong IDs, passports and ATMs, they were advised to report immediately to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, the Consulate, and/or to their respective banks to avoid the possibility that the said personal documents will be used for money laundering purposes.
The PCG said that under the Hong Kong Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, money laundering is punishable with a fine of up to HK$5 million and imprisonment of up to 14 years per offense.
