Hong Kong police arrest social media influencer accused of gambling illegally at online casino, promoting bookmaking
- So Mei-yan, known as Cry So or So Miu-miu on her social media platforms, detained after raid on her home and accused of sharing her gambling activities online
- Investigation suggests she placed about HK$300,000 in a month to bet on a foreign gambling website, police source says
Hong Kong police have arrested a cosmetics businesswoman and social media influencer accused of gambling illegally at an online casino and promoting bookmaking.
So Mei-yan, also known as Cry So or So Miu-miu on her social media platforms, was detained when officers raided her flat at One West Kowloon private housing block on Lai Chi Kok Road in Cheung Sha Wan on Monday.
A police source said the 26-year-old woman was accused of sharing online her activities on a foreign gambling website, which provided a variety of live video games such as roulette, baccarat and blackjack, as well as dice.
“The investigation suggested the suspect had placed about HK$300,000 (US$263,840) in total to bet with the gambling website in a month,” the source said.
So had reportedly told police she was a merchant and key opinion leader. She was released on bail pending further investigation and officers from the Kowloon West regional special duty squad are looking into the case.
In Hong Kong, promoting bookmaking is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a HK$5 million fine under the Gambling Ordinance. Gambling in an illegal establishment carries a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and a HK$30,000 fine.
So, who posted pictures of her lavish lifestyle on social media, hit the headlines in the city in November 2020 when she became the victim of a robbery. Her Facebook account shows she has 27,333 followers.
