Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee briefed the legislature on Thursday regarding the latest developments in the investigation. He reported a significant increase in the number of arrests related to the case, totaling 72 individuals, with approximately HK$228 million being frozen as part of the probe.
As of the latest update, the police force has received 2,636 reports related to the case, amounting to about HK$1.6 billion. Among the individuals previously apprehended were social media influencers who had been featured in advertisements for the trading platform and had established their own over-the-counter stores. This group included Chan Wing-yee, Joseph Lam Chok, and Sheena Leung.
In response to lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-chong’s inquiries, Commissioner Siu disclosed that the force had documented 6,330 investment scams, both online and offline, in the previous year. These scams resulted in losses exceeding HK\(5.93 billion, with 2,342 cases linked to cryptocurrency, involving around HK\)3.16 billion.
Furthermore, discussions during the meeting extended to the proposed amendments to the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance by the government. These amendments, prompted by the tragic fire incident at New Lucky House in Yau Ma Tei, aim to enhance fire safety compliance. The proposed changes include escalating penalties for non-compliance with fire safety directives from a maximum of HK\(50,000 to HK\)200,000. Additionally, fines ranging from HK\(5,000 to HK\)20,000 per day for continued violations are being considered.
Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung emphasized the urgency of the legislative process by planning to introduce the amendments in the second quarter of the year, rather than the initially scheduled fourth quarter, following the recent fire incident. The fatal blaze at the aged building in Yau Ma Tei, which housed guest houses and subdivided flats, resulted in five fatalities and 43 injuries.
During the meeting, lawmakers raised concerns about the possibility of incorporating imprisonment as a penalty for non-compliance with the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance. Minister Tang highlighted the challenges in attributing personal responsibility in such cases, emphasizing that the focus should be on collective accountability rather than individual guilt. He clarified that non-compliance did not necessarily indicate immediate danger to residents but rather a failure to meet current safety standards.