Police Arrest Underworld Boss in Game of Chance Suppression
In a significant operation, the Hong Kong Police have arrested two individuals suspected of having ties to the Wo Shing Wo triad, one of the city's most notorious criminal organizations. The investigation, spearheaded by Chief Inspector Terence Wong Chi-tang of the police's Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, mirrors a similar crackdown six years ago that led to the arrest of over 171 individuals associated with the same triad.
The Wo Shing Wo, founded in 1930 in Sham Shui Po, is the oldest and one of the most notorious triad societies in Hong Kong. Its origins trace back to Chinese secret societies from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Over time, Wo Shing Wo expanded its influence from its traditional stronghold in Tsuen Wan to multiple areas including Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Tai Po, Sheung Shui, and Fanling.
Historically, during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong (1941-1945), the Wo Shing Wo collaborated with the Japanese authorities. Post-World War II, the triad grew rapidly as many refugees fleeing the Chinese Civil War were recruited, swelling its membership from about 15,000 to 70,000 by the 1950s.
The triad's criminal activities are diverse, including extortion, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, prostitution, and money laundering as part of their organized crime operations. The triad has been involved in several notorious violent crimes, exemplified by brutal cases such as the Braemar Hill murders in 1985 and the Hello Kitty murder in 1999.
During the recent operation, authorities confiscated over HK$12.5 million (US$1.6 million) in cash and property titles valued at approximately HK$7 million (US$892,500). The property titles are linked to the son of the triad leader, raising suspicions about potential attempts to obfuscate the origin of assets. The alleged high-ranking member of the Wo Shing Wo triad, along with their spouse and son, were arrested during the operations targeting illegal gambling.
Furthermore, authorities uncovered a series of dubious financial transactions that ultimately triggered the law enforcement response. These transactions involved significant sums being moved between undisclosed locations and the family's bank accounts. Eight suspects are accused of managing and overseeing the collection of outstanding debts, while six of the money laundering suspects are accused of supporting a loansharking enterprise with exorbitant interest rates, up to 400%. A portion of the amassed funds, exceeding HK$10 million (US$1.27 million), was channeled into real estate acquisitions on multiple occasions.
The operations culminated in the confiscation of HK$5.7 million (US$726,750) in cash. The triad leader's son is suspected of having connections with the triad's operations and is accused of managing HK$68 million (US$8.67 million) acquired through unlawful means. The crackdown extended beyond illegal gambling dens to include a gas station reportedly linked to the triad.
Law enforcement authorities have consistently made arrests annually between 2019 and 2022, demonstrating their commitment to combating organized crime in Hong Kong. The Wo Shing Wo's history embodies a deep-rooted triad culture with longstanding involvement in Hong Kong's illegal gambling, money laundering, extortion, drug trade, and violent crimes, making it one of the city's most feared criminal organizations.
The high-ranking member of the Wo Shing Wo triad was arrested during operations targeting illegal gambling, accompanied by their spouse and son.The alleged illegal gambling activities led to the confiscation of over HK$12.5 million (US$1.6 million) in cash and property titles valued at approximately HK$7 million (US$892,500).The Wo Shing Wo triad's criminal activities extend beyond gambling, as they are also involved in money laundering, extortion, drug trafficking, and violent crimes.The Wo Shing Wo's longstanding involvement in such criminal activities has made it one of the most feared criminal organizations in Hong Kong, embodying a deep-rooted casino-culture. This development also highlights the never-ending efforts of law enforcement authorities to address crime-and-justice issues related to casino-and-gambling trends in the city's general-news.
