Ex-Police Officer Jailed 28 Months for Laundering HK$50,000 in Elderly Phone Scam
A former police officer has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for his role in a phone scam that targeted a 90-year-old woman, after admitting to laundering HK$50,000 obtained through fraudulent means.
The case, which has drawn public concern over the vulnerability of elderly residents to telephone scams, involved 31-year-old So Ching-fung, a married father of three, including a one-year-old son.
Phone Call Sparks Fraud Attempt
On December 5, 2023, the victim received a call from a man who pretended to be her grandson. The caller claimed to be in serious trouble and urgently needed HK$50,000. Alarmed, the woman initially believed the plea but soon discovered that her grandson was safe and at work.
Realising she had been targeted by fraudsters, the woman reported the matter to police. Officers quickly devised a sting operation to catch the perpetrator.
Arrest During Police Operation
Police prepared an eco-bag containing tissue paper to resemble cash and waited for the collector to arrive at the victim’s address. Around noon, So appeared at the scene to collect the bag. He was immediately arrested by officers.
During questioning, So admitted he had been instructed to collect the money, though he claimed he had no direct contact details for the unidentified mastermind behind the scam.
Charges and Court Proceedings
So was originally charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, but he denied the allegation. The prosecution later accepted his guilty plea to the alternative charge of money laundering, under which he admitted that he had reasonable grounds to believe the HK$50,000 represented criminal proceeds.
Judge Wong Sze-lai, presiding over the case, stressed the seriousness of the offence and the need for deterrence. The court emphasised that laundering criminal funds directly enables fraudsters to target vulnerable members of society, and that imprisonment was unavoidable.
The judge said the case warranted a starting sentence of 36 months, but allowed a one-third reduction to 24 months due to So’s guilty plea. However, given the community harm caused by such scams and their ongoing prevalence, Judge Wong imposed an additional 20% increase, raising the total sentence to 28 months.
Sentencing Remarks
Judge Wong highlighted that although the number of “guess who I am” scams has recently declined, they remain a common and damaging type of fraud in Hong Kong. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable, often pressured into parting with significant sums of money.
“The prevalence of these crimes causes not only financial harm but also psychological distress to elderly victims,” the judge said. “A deterrent sentence is essential.”
Defendant’s Background
The court heard that So had previously worked as a police officer, as well as in construction and the service industry. His fall from grace, the judge noted, was particularly disappointing given his past role in law enforcement.
Despite his young family circumstances, including caring for a one-year-old son, the judge ruled that there were no sufficient mitigating factors to reduce the sentence beyond the standard plea discount.
Broader Context
Hong Kong has seen a surge of financial crimes targeting elderly residents, many of whom fall victim to scams involving impersonation of relatives in distress. While police data shows a slight decline in cases over the past year, authorities warn that scammers continue to adapt their tactics.
The prosecution argued that only harsh sentences can deter individuals from participating in such schemes, even at a low level, such as money collection. Judge Wong agreed, noting that without couriers like So, fraud operations would be far less effective.
Conclusion
So’s imprisonment underscores the judiciary’s tough stance on crimes targeting the elderly. While he admitted to money laundering rather than full conspiracy, the court made clear that facilitating fraud carries serious consequences, especially for former law enforcement officers who once swore to protect the public.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by phone scams and the importance of vigilance, particularly among elderly citizens who remain the most frequent targets.
