Hong Kong police have arrested eight people for allegedly attempting to defraud HK$8.24 million (US$1.06 million) from a subsidy scheme meant to help companies boost employees’ technology skills, with a family suspected of running the swindle.
Chen Chi-cheong, assistant district commander (crime) of Sham Shui Po police district, said on Friday that officers had busted a suspected fraud syndicate this week.
The eight suspects were believed to have targeted the government’s “New Industrialisation and Technology Training Programme” between 2022 and 2024.
“The syndicate established companies that had no substantial operations, showing an organised and systematic attempt to defraud public funds intended for promoting innovation,” Chen said.
The suspects consisted of six men and two women, aged 33 to 78. They include five members of the same family, comprising a couple, their two sons and a partner of one son.
The force said the family were suspected of being the scheme’s masterminds.
