3 linked to Hong Kong university students’ union arrested on suspicion of conspiring to defraud
Hong Kong Free Press
Three people linked to a university students’ union have been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to defraud, with local media reporting that two were students at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU).
Police made the arrests last Thursday and Friday after receiving a report from a representative of the student union that around HK$1.3 million from the group’s bank accounts had been embezzled for personal use.
Upon investigation, police apprehended two men and a woman aged 20 to 27 on suspicion of fraud. They were released on bail without charge and have been asked to report to police in late September.
Citing sources, local media outlets reported that two of the three arrested were HKBU students who were members of the union’s temporary administrative committee. One was reportedly the chairperson and the other was the financial controller.
The three were suspected of using fabricated invoices to claim expenses related to events organised by the union, with the funds then transferred to their bank accounts.
The third suspect, 27, was reportedly the chairperson’s boyfriend. Local media outlets said sources indicated that the money was intended for her boyfriend – reportedly a mahjong parlour worker and a suspected triad member – to help him settle his debts.
The chairperson’s boyfriend was believed to be the mastermind behind the alleged operations.
According to local media outlets, the suspected embezzlement was revealed during an audit of the union’s expenses.
HKFP has reached out to HKBU for comment.
This is the second time the university’s student union has seen arrests related to its finances within the space of a year. Last September, a member of the union was arrested over embezzling HK$800,000 of the student union’s funds. The student was convicted and sentenced in June to two years and one month in jail.
In July, the union announced it had begun the process of disbanding, following in the footsteps of unions at Chinese University and Polytechnic University. Since the Beijing-imposed national security law was passed, universities have been distancing themselves from their student unions, making it difficult for the student bodies to operate due to fewer resources.
Citing sources, Ming Pao reported that the students’ union decision to dissolve came after HKBU did not offer the union a booth to recruit new members during the freshmen registration day last year.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.