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To strengthen the Force’s professionalism and capability in combatting money laundering activities, supporting the frontline in financial investigation, giving expert evidence in court and assisting in applying for sentence enhancement in money laundering cases, a new volunteer secondary duty cadre Money Laundering Expert Cadre (MLEC) is formed and operated under Crime Wing on October 1.
The inauguration ceremony of MLEC was held at the Police Officers’ Club on October 7, with Director of Crime and Security Yip Wan-lung and Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Chung Wing-man as officiating guests. Representatives from Department of Justice (DoJ), Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), Insurance Authority (IA) and various sectors also attended.
At the ceremony, Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Chung Wing-man appointed Chief Superintendent of Financial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (FIIB) Lam Man-han as Officer-In-Charge of MLEC and Superintendent of Financial Intelligence Division of FIIB Chow Cheung-yau as Deputy Officer-In-Charge. Three Superintendents, seven Chief Inspectors and 15 Senior Inspectors or Inspectors were appointed as MLEC members. The members, who are selected from across the Force with relevant experience, academic or professional qualifications, have successfully passed the assessment of MLEC Course.
In her speech, Lam Man-han stated that given the rapid increase in financial crimes today and the ever changing modus operandi in money laundering, the Force should spare no effort in combatting money laundering activities. MLEC aims to provide the Force with a pool of professional experts in investigating money laundering to assist frontline officers of all units in conducting financial investigation more efficiently and enhance the officers’ awareness of and professionalism in combatting money laundering. She also expressed gratitude to different stakeholders for their support and cooperation in safeguarding Hong Kong's financial system and maintaining Hong Kong's status as a global financial hub.
MLEC Course
The first MLEC Course, which lasted ten days, was held between September 19 and September 30. 25 officers of the Force and five guest trainees from ICAC and C&ED received professional training and strengthened communication and exchange on anti-money laundering among the law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong. The 25 officers of the Force have been officially appointed MLEC members after passing the assessment.
Given the changing dynamic in the financial and non-financial sectors, professional knowledge and skills in the anti-money laundering arena have to be kept updated. The MLEC Course covers a wide range of professional knowledge, including anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism policies in Hong Kong, recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force and money laundering typologies, concepts and skillset in forensic accounting and regulations in different sectors in Hong Kong. Senior management from DoJ, Security Bureau, HKMA, SFC, IA, ICAC, C&ED, the banking sector and the Force are invited to be lecturers of the Course. Together with the simulation exercises, the lectures enhance the trainees’ skills and application of professional knowledge on money laundering investigation and their credibility in giving expert statement at court.
