Hong Kong police arrest 3 women for allegedly conspiring to launder HK$33 million

“As the three women were unable to provide a reasonable explanation for the origin and purpose of the large sum of cash, police arrested them for conspiracy of money laundering,” Yau said.

The investigation was launched by the Kowloon West regional crime unit following a botched robbery in Sham Shui Po on Tuesday night.

The mainland woman was attacked by two men who tried to snatch her luggage, which had HK$9 million inside, on Tai Po Road in the district at around 7pm, according to police.

Yau said the two robbers were forced to escape empty-handed due to the resistance from passers-by and the woman, who escaped the incident unharmed.

The pair fled in a getaway car, which was later found abandoned in Mong Kok. No immediate arrests were made.

Officers also conducted inquiries with the mainland woman, as well as two Hong Kong women, who lived with her at the Sham Shui Po flat.

In addition to HK$9 million in luggage, officers discovered another HK$24 million in other luggage and a safe in the premises, according to the force.

The three women were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to launder illicit proceeds – an offence punishable by up to 14 years in jail.

As of Thursday afternoon, the three women were still being held for questioning.

Yau said the investigation into the source and purpose of the money seized in this case was still under way.

Regarding the botched robbery, police arrested a 28-year-old man in Tuen Mun at around 8pm on Wednesday. The force said further arrests were possible.

Police also appealed to witnesses and people with information about the attempted robbery to contact officers on 3661 8187.

Detectives from the Kowloon West regional crime unit are following up on the case.

In the first five months of this year, police handled 36 reports of robbery across the city, down 28 per cent from 50 cases logged in the same period in 2023.