Key facts
- Sixteen individuals arrested in Hong Kong for MPF fraud.
- Allegations include using falsified medical certificates for early withdrawals.
- The scheme is suspected of defrauding HK$4.3 million (US$548,680) in MPF savings.
- Suspects range in age from 29 to 63 and held various occupations.
- Two individuals are accused of leading a syndicate that facilitated the fraud.
Sixteen individuals in Hong Kong have been arrested for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to fraudulently withdraw HK$4.3 million (US$548,680) from their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) savings. The suspects, aged 29 to 63, reportedly used falsified medical certificates claiming serious health conditions or loss of working ability to bypass MPF withdrawal regulations.
Police identified the arrested individuals as nine men and seven women, whose reported occupations included chefs, drivers, and waiters. Two of the suspects are believed to be the ringleaders of a syndicate that operated through a middleman company, allegedly recruiting and assisting at least 14 MPF members in submitting the fraudulent applications. All involved parties were arrested on suspicion of fraud.
According to Superintendent Chu Ming-lun of the commercial crime bureau, the syndicate members advertised their services on social media, promising a secure and guaranteed method for early MPF withdrawals. He noted that some applicants, burdened by debt or financial difficulties, took the risk despite knowing that early withdrawal is permitted only under specific circumstances. The intermediaries allegedly obtained contributors' personal details and eMPF platform passwords to log in and upload the forged medical certificates.