Hunt for ‘gang of con artists’ suspected of duping 4 wanted Hong Kong protesters out of HK$400,000 before tipping off police on whereabouts
- Group thought to have lied to four wanted demonstrators by claiming boat journey to Taiwan had been arranged for them and then tipping off police to arrest them
- Tsang Chi-kin, 21, is among four detained by the force, all of whom are thought to have sought help in 2020 from US consulate but were turned away
Hong Kong national security police are searching for a group of nearly 10 people who allegedly duped four wanted protesters out of more than HK$400,000 (US$51, 280) under the pretence of helping them to flee the city and also used them to raise funds for their own benefit.
The Post has learned that the group is thought to have lied to the four anti-government demonstrators by claiming a boat journey to Taiwan had been arranged for them and then tipping off police to arrest them in Sai Kung before dawn on Wednesday.
Describing them as a “gang of con artists”, a force insider said at least three of them, including members of a London-based anti-China group, had left for the British capital. The alleged ringleader is understood to be a YouTuber – and solicitor – who has also left for Britain.
On Wednesday night, officers from the force’s National Security Department arrested a 34-year-old suspected group member who was responsible for delivering food to the four protesters. The group had previously persuaded the four, aged 16 to 24, to try to seek refuge at the US consulate in October 2020 but they were turned away.
The four include Tsang Chi-kin, 21, who survived being shot in the chest during a violent protest in Tsuen Wan on October 1, 2019, at the height of social unrest in Hong Kong. Police on Thursday revealed the plight of the four, who had previously missed various legal proceedings, after they were arrested following a 20-month period in hiding in the city.
It is understood the protesters were stuffed into carton boxes and “inhumanely” treated as cargo while being moved to three different hideouts – two industrial units and a flat – all in Tsuen Wan.