275 arrested over allegedly staging traffic accidents to claim HK$14 million gov’t aid
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong police have arrested 275 people over allegedly staging traffic accidents to fraudulently claim HK$14 million in government aid for victims of road accidents.
A total of 182 men and 93 women, aged 18 to 64, were apprehended between October 3 and November 1 on suspicion of staging traffic accidents and using forged medical certificates to obtain the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) from the Social Welfare Department (SWD), police said in a press conference on Wednesday.
Among those arrested were clerks, logistics workers, waiters and construction workers. Some also had triad links.
According to the police, the SWD detected suspicious applications earlier this year and launched an investigation. It found that some applicants had not sought any medical treatment from the private medical institutions or clinics that they claimed to have obtained medical certificates from.
The cases were later referred to the police, which found that the alleged fraud cases concerned 121 traffic accidents that took place between last March and April. The financial aid offered in each application ranged from around HK$2,000 to HK$150,000.
Senior superintendent Kung Hing-fun of the Commercial Crime Bureau told the press on Wednesday that some cases involved traffic accidents that were “staged by organised efforts” in remote areas where the roads were quiet. The suspects then used false sick leave notes to apply for the government aid, she said.
“Police severely condemn the uncontrolled behaviour of the lawless individuals that disregarded the safety of other road users,” Kung said.
On Wednesday, the SWD warned that it would show “no tolerance or leniency” if it detected fraudulent elements in an application. Those convicted of providing false information to obtain TAVA payments could face up to 14 years in prison, the department said.
“Members of the public are urged not to defy the law. The SWD will continue to verify the information submitted for TAVA applications in a stringent manner to ensure the proper use of public funds,” a statement from the SWD read.
The SWD added that it would continue to assist police with their investigations and recover all the overpaid assistance payments.
Under the TAVA scheme, the traffic accident must have been reported police and certified by the force as a road traffic accident. The victim must also have been injured or killed in the accident. Those who were injured must provide a medical certificate showing that their injury required at least three days of hospitalisation or sick leave.
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