Police arrest 27 over claims for government subsidies

Police on Saturday said they had arrested 27 people on suspicion of cheating the government out of grants and services.

Officers say the arrestees are among 48 Hong Kong residents who allegedly filed fake applications for the HK$5,000 consumption voucher scheme, last year’s HK$10,000 cash voucher scheme, the CSSA, the Old Age Living allowance, as well as for public flats. Two of those arrested allegedly used fake information to register as voters.

Police arrested 14 men and 13 women in various districts during an operation on Saturday, after receiving tip-offs in September.

Officers said the arrestees are aged between 21 and 76. Some of them are unemployed or retired, while others are drivers, housewives, workers and businessmen, officers said. All have been released on bail.

They said they believe the 48 people involved in the case are not related to one another, adding that there’s no evidence to suggest that they are part of any crime syndicate.

Police said investigations are ongoing and more people may be arrested.