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The Financial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (FIIB) launched its publicity campaign Anti-Money Laundering Month (AML Month) between January 9 and February 17, hoping to enhance the public’s awareness of anti-money laundering and related knowledge through a series of promotion campaigns, outreach education and enforcement actions.
FIIB once again invited the artiste Ms Cinda Hui to film a promotion video that presents the message of “Don’t Rent, Don’t Lend and Don’t Sell your bank accounts” in a lively and friendly way. The video has appeared on various platforms, including the mega screens in Causeway Bay and Mong Kok, on MTR trains and buses, at MTR stations and bus stops, on online forums, shopping platforms and websites, as well as on transportation applications and various social media.
Moreover, FIIB attaches great importance to stakeholder engagement and public education. Hence, seminars on the handling of suspicious transaction report were organised for financial institutions, banks, stored value facilities licensees, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Customs and Excise Department to discuss relevant details and explain the latest modus operandi and crime trends, with a view to maintaining effective communication. Seminars and talks were also held for consulates, students, the elderly and different communities to explain money laundering trends and raise public awareness of anti-money laundering.
To remind the public not to lend or sell their bank accounts to criminal syndicates for money laundering, FIIB has been making use of online and offline channels actively to disseminate anti-money laundering messages among the public. Meanwhile, FIIB has also sought cooperation with large shopping malls, government departments and the transport trades to display the latest posters and banners on various platforms and hundreds of venues, including markets, parks, sports centres, MTR and buses. Leaflets and publicity gifts were also distributed to the public with promotional booths being set up in various districts.
Regarding enforcement actions, FIIB has kept mounting arrest operations codenamed WISEWORD jointly with various formations at Headquarters and Regional levels through an intelligence-led approach. Several criminal syndicates which laundered money with stooge accounts have been smashed successfully. 633 people have been arrested, with $7.8 billion suspected crime proceeds being handled and $116 million being withheld. FIIB will keep focusing on curbing illicit activities involving money laundering and terrorist financing to maintain Hong Kong’s reputation and status as an international financial centre.
