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☆ Arup revealed as victim of $25 million deepfake scam involving Hong Kong employee
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —A British multinational design and engineering company behind world famous buildings such as the Sydney Opera House has confirmed that it was the target of a deepfake scam that led to one of its Hong Kong employees paying out $25 million to fraudsters. A spokesperson for Arup told CNN on Friday that it notified Hong Kong police in January about the fraud incident, and confirmed that fake voices and images were used. “Unfortunately, we can’t go into details at this stage as the incident is still the subject of an ongoing investigation. According to Hong Kong police, the elaborate scam saw the employee duped into attending a video call with people he believed were the CFO and other members of staff, but all of whom turned out to be deepfake recreations, Hong Kong police revealed in February. Authorities around the world are growing increasingly concerned about the sophistication of deepfake technology and the nefarious uses it can be put to.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Arup, ” Rob Greig, Michael Kwok Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Sydney Opera, Hong Kong, CNN, Hong, Beijing Olympic Games, Arup’s East Locations: Hong Kong, British, Hong, Arup’s East Asia

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong’s leader responded on Tuesday after three people were charged by British police for allegedly spying on behalf of the city’s intelligence services. Relations between Hong Kong and its former colonial ruler Britain have soured in recent years following mass pro-democracy protests in the Chinese city in 2019 and 2020. The British government has criticized Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed crackdown on almost all opposition in the years following the protests, while Hong Kong authorities have bristled at Britain providing a safe haven for pro-democracy leaders sought by the Hong Kong police. Hong Kong leader Lee noted in his Tuesday news conference that one of the men charged was the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London but did not directly address a question over whether it was involved in surveillance of Hong Kong dissidents in the UK. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is speaking at a press conference on April 30, 2024.

Persons: Hong, Chi Leung, Peter, Wai, Matthew Trickett, Chung Biu Yuen, Hong Kong’s, John Lee, ” Lee, Chi Leung Wai, Yui Mok, Jonathan Brady, Yuen, Louisa Cieciora, Lee, Vernon Yuen, ”, Dominic Murphy Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, British, Hong, city’s Metropolitan Police, Hong Kong, Embassy, Westminster Magistrates, Administrative, Police, Hong Kong Economic, Trade Office, . Hong, Economic, Trade, Metropolitan Police, UK National Security, Crown Prosecution Service, Command, Met Police Locations: Hong Kong, Westminster, London, city’s, Britain, Hong Kong’s Beijing, . Hong Kong, England

☆ A Hong Kong-based crypto exchange used deepfakes of Elon Musk to claim the billionaire was its lead developer
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission issued a warning last week about deepfake scams. Related storiesAs the technology behind artificial intelligence advances, scammers are increasingly using deepfakes to dupe their victims into handing over cash. The group in Hong Kong claimed to provide a cryptocurrency trading service using underlying artificial intelligence. But Hong Kong authorities said they suspect it is a front for "virtual asset related fraudulent activities." The Hong Kong Police Force did not return a request for comment from BI.

Persons: —, Elon, Elon Musk Organizations: Service, Facebook, The Hong Kong Securities, Futures Commission, Business, Yahoo, Authorities, Hong, Crypto News, Hong Kong Police Force Locations: The, Hong Kong, South Korean

☆ AI is Uncle Sam’s new secret weapon to fight fraud
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Starting around late 2022, the Treasury Department began using enhanced fraud-detection methods powered by AI to spot fraud, CNN has learned. Treasury’s AI-powered fraud detection recovered $375 million in fiscal 2023 alone, Treasury officials tell CNN, marking the first time Treasury is publicly acknowledging it is using AI to detect fraud. Instead, Treasury officials say the type of AI they are using falls more into the bucket of machine learning and Big Data. The goal is to move with such speed that anomalies are flagged and banks are alerted before fraudulent checks are ever cashed, Treasury officials said. Catching fraud in millisecondsAmiram Shachar, co-founder and CEO of cloud security startup Upwind, told CNN the federal government should “absolutely” use AI to detect fraud.

Persons: Sam, Sam’s, Fraudsters, Wally Adeyemo, ”, ” Shachar, Steph Curry Organizations: New, New York CNN, Treasury Department, CNN, Treasury, Data, Washington, Office, Business Administration, Social, Internal Revenue Service, IRS, Google, Facebook, Penny Jar, NBA, Mastercard Locations: New York, Banks, Washington, Hong Kong

☆ A company lost $25 million after an employee was tricked by deepfakes of his coworkers on a video call: police
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Scammers made off with about $25 million after they used deepfake technology to trick an employee at the Hong Kong branch of a multinational company, local media reported on Sunday, citing the city's police. The employee then had a video call with the company's CFO and other company employees — all of which turned out to be deepfakes. Based on instructions they got during that call, the employee transferred HK$200 million, or $25.6 million, to various Hong Kong bank accounts across 15 transfers, according to the SCMP. AdvertisementThe Hong Kong police did not name the company or employees involved. The employee who was scammed did not interact with the deepfakes during the video conference, according to the media outlet.

Persons: Scammers, scammers, scammed, Taylor Swift, Joseph Morelle Organizations: South China Morning Post, HK, Hong Kong, Democratic Locations: Hong Kong, South China

☆ Finance worker pays out $25 million after video call with deepfake ‘chief financial officer’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Heather Chen | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A finance worker at a multinational firm was tricked into paying out $25 million to fraudsters using deepfake technology to pose as the company’s chief financial officer in a video conference call, according to Hong Kong police. Chan said the worker had grown suspicious after he received a message that was purportedly from the company’s UK-based chief financial officer. Dale De La Rey / AFPBelieving everyone else on the call was real, the worker agreed to remit a total of $200 million Hong Kong dollars – about $25.6 million, the police officer added. At the press briefing Friday, Hong Kong police said they had made six arrests in connection with such scams. Authorities across the world are growing increasingly concerned at the sophistication of deepfake technology and the nefarious uses it can be put to.

Persons: “, Baron Chan Shun, Chan, Hong, Dale De La, deepfakes, Taylor Swift Organizations: CNN, Hong, RTHK Locations: Hong Kong, Dale De La Rey, AFP, American

☆ Hong Kong Court Convicts Four for Rioting After 2019 Legislature Storming
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Hundreds of protesters stormed Hong Kong's Legislative Council building on July 1, 2019, after a protest march against a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed authorities to send individuals to mainland China for trial. District Court Judge Li Chi-ho found four people including Ho Chun-yin, actor Gregory Wong, Ng Chi-yung and Lam Kam-kwan guilty of rioting. During the trial, Gregory Wong told the court he entered the legislative council solely to deliver two chargers to reporters who were covering the break-in by protesters. Three Hong Kong police officers met him in Shenzhen and said he had to cooperate or else he would not be able to return to Hong Kong. Hong Kong's district court sets a maximum of seven years in prison for rioting.

Persons: Jessie Pang, Edward Cho HONG, Li Chi, Ho Chun, Gregory Wong, Ng Chi, Lam Kam, kwan, Lam, Wong Ka, Ma Kai, Wong, Althea Suen, Ventus Lau, Owen Chow, Edward Cho, Farah Master, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, Hong, Legislative, Hong Kong, Hong Kong . Police, University of Hong Locations: Edward Cho HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Legco, Shenzhen, Hong Kong's

HONG KONG, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow, who fled to Canada while free on bail, says she won't return home amid a crackdown that curbed her freedoms, defying a warning from Hong Kong's leader that she would be pursued for life. "In consideration of the political situation in Hong Kong and my personal health, my mental health, my physical health, and the high political risk of not being allowed to leave Hong Kong again, I've decided not to go back." The security law has drawn criticism from Western governments as a tool of repression, but China says it has restored stability after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. "The national security police are not doing their job according to the legal system in Hong Kong," she told Reuters. Hong Kong leader John Lee on Tuesday described Chow as a "liar" and "devoid of integrity".

Persons: Agnes Chow, Hong, Chow, I've, Tyrone Siu, John Lee, Lee, Nathan Law, Anna Kwok, wasn't, James Pomfret, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Hong Kong, HK, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Canada, Toronto, China, Shenzhen, Japan, Hong

☆ Agnes Chow: Hong Kong democracy activist reveals she has moved to Canada and plans to skip bail
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In her Instagram post, Chow said she decided to flee after “considering the situation in Hong Kong, my personal safety, my physical and mental health,” adding that she had faced sustained pressure from authorities. Chow said she received permission from Hong Kong authorities to pursue her master’s degree in Canada, on the condition that she returned to Hong Kong to report to police during school breaks. Chow was among the first pro-democracy leaders to be detained under the law in Hong Kong. In her Instagram post, Chow said she was admitted by a university in Toronto earlier this year. The Hong Kong police statement on Chow confirmed they had returned her passport to allow her to study overseas and prolonged her bail.

Persons: Kong’s, Agnes Chow, ”, . Chow, “, Chow, Chow’s, ’, Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, Demosisto, Wong, you’re, ” Chow Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, Police, Critics, The Hong Locations: Hong Kong, Canada, ., Hong, China, Beijing, United Kingdom, The, The Hong Kong, Toronto, Shenzhen

Agnes Chow, 27 - a core member of a now-disbanded group of younger activists including Joshua Wong who helped drive Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement - said in posts on her Instagram account late on Sunday that she had left Hong Kong for studies in Canada. Their group, Demosisto, dissolved hours after Beijing passed a sweeping national security law in 2020. Beijing says the law has brought stability to Hong Kong after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. There was no immediate response from the Hong Kong police. Chow was due to report to Hong Kong's security police later this month but decided not to return out of consideration for her personal safety and wellbeing.

Persons: Agnes Chow, Tyrone Siu, Hong, Joshua Wong, Chow, Jimmy Lai, hadn't, Chow couldn't, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Reuters, Hong Kong, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Canada, Beijing, Toronto, Shenzhen, Hong

HONG KONG (AP) — Police in Hong Kong and Macao said Friday they arrested four more people linked to the cryptocurrency platform JPEX, which is suspected to have defrauded more than 2,400 people of almost $200 million. Police have received 2,417 reports involving more than 1.5 billion Hong Kong dollars ($191.6 million) in alleged losses on the platform. Hong Kong police said in a news conference Friday they had arrested two men, one of whom had been trying to destroy documents with paper shredders and bleach. Cash and gold worth nearly $9 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.15 million) were also seized at three apartments in the latest police operation. Two other men were detained in Macao, with authorities seizing over 14 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.8 million) in cash and valuables, as well as money in a casino account.

Persons: Chung, ”, Cheng Lai, “, influencers, JPEX Organizations: — Police, Police, Hong Kong, Cyber Security, Technology, Hong Kong’s Securities, Futures Commission Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Macao, Hong, JPEX

☆ China says Britain's plans to disrupt Hong Kong 'doomed to fail'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jason Lee/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Sept 20 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong slammed a six month report on the financial hub by Britain, saying it ignored "good" societal conditions, a more stable business environment and instead supported "anti China" chaos. While some Western governments have criticised the laws as curbing social and political freedoms in the city, both Chinese and Hong Kong officials have said they were vital to restore stability. Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 from Britain, has had "universal success" in implementing the practise of 'one country, two systems', China's foreign ministry said. "Plans to disrupt Hong Kong are doomed to fail." The British report said that authorities continue to try to use legal routes to suppress the protest anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' while media tycoon Jimmy Lai's national security trial has been further delayed.

Persons: Mao Zedong, Theresa May, Jason Lee, Hong, Jimmy Lai's, Farah Master, Michael Perry Organizations: British, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Britain

☆ China Says Britain's Plans to Disrupt Hong Kong 'Doomed to Fail'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong slammed a six month report on the financial hub by Britain, saying it ignored "good" societal conditions, a more stable business environment and instead supported "anti China" chaos. While some Western governments have criticised the laws as curbing social and political freedoms in the city, both Chinese and Hong Kong officials have said they were vital to restore stability. Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 from Britain, has had "universal success" in implementing the practise of 'one country, two systems', China's foreign ministry said. "Plans to disrupt Hong Kong are doomed to fail." The British report said that authorities continue to try to use legal routes to suppress the protest anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' while media tycoon Jimmy Lai's national security trial has been further delayed.

Persons: Hong, Jimmy Lai's, Farah Master, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Britain, China, Beijing

CNN —The US State Department said Friday it “strongly condemned” the Hong Kong authorities’ “ongoing harassment” of family members of pro-democracy activists living overseas. The US said it was “particularly concerned” about recent cases involving activists like Nathan Law, Joshua Wong and Elmer Yuen whose family members and acquaintances had been “detained and questioned by Hong Kong police.”“We call on the Hong Kong authorities to cease all harassment of the democracy activists’ family members,” said spokesperson Matthew Miller. In a statement provided to CNN, Hong Kong police said its national security department had taken away two men and a woman for investigation. The Hong Kong government has repeatedly denied the national security law, imposed by Beijing in 2020, suppresses freedoms. Law and other activists have been accused of violating the national security law, with offenses ranging from collusion with foreign forces to subversion of state power.

Persons: “, ’, Nathan Law, Joshua Wong, Elmer Yuen, ”, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, Law, Hong Kong – Organizations: CNN, US State Department, Hong, HK, RTHK, Basic, Sino Locations: Hong Kong, ” Hong Kong, Britain, Beijing, British

☆ HSBC executive apologizes after calling the UK 'weak' for following US lead over China
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —A top executive at HSBC has apologized after reportedly calling the UK government “weak” over its dealings with China, in another sign of the political tightrope the British bank has to walk. He also said the British government would often concur with US demands, calling it “weak,” the publication reported. Several conservative UK lawmakers seized the occasion Monday to criticize Cowper-Coles and HSBC (HSBC). Meanwhile, Hong Kong and mainland China combined made up nearly 40% of profit, according to its most recent financial report. In 2020, HSBC’s top executive in Asia publicly declared support for a controversial national security law that Beijing introduced in Hong Kong, inviting fierce backlash from Western government officials and investors.

Persons: Sherard Cowper, Cowper, Coles, Washington, Britain shouldn’t, —, “, “ Sherard, Tim Loughton, ”, Iain Duncan Smith, Sir Sherard Cowper, Stephen Chung, Noel Quinn Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, HSBC, Bloomberg, CNN, Cowper, China - Britain Business Council, Chatham, Coles, Former Tory, Getty, Hong Locations: Hong Kong, China, Coles, United Kingdom, United States, London, British, Beijing, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Chatham, Asia, Xinhua, East

HONG KONG, July 20 (Reuters) - Hong Kong national security police on Thursday questioned the brother of exiled former lawmaker Dennis Kwok, media reported, weeks after police issued an arrest warrant and a HK$1 million bounty for the pro-democracy politician. Police on July 3 issued arrest warrants for eight overseas-based activists for national security offences, including foreign collusion and incitement to secession, and posted bounties for information leading to their arrest. Among the eight is Dennis Kwok, a former pro-democracy member of Hong Kong's legislature now based in the United States. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula meant to guarantee its freedoms for 50 years. In 2020, after months of protests, China imposed a national security law on the financial hub criminalising offences like subversion with up to life imprisonment.

Persons: Dennis Kwok, Michael Kwok, Hong Kong, Christopher Mung, Nathan Law, Jessie Pang, Tyrone Siu, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel Organizations: police, HK, Police, United States . Media, Reuters, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, British, Hong Kong's, United States, Kowloon, Hong, Beijing, China

"With on-the-ground movements in Hong Kong disappearing or silenced, it's really up to us to narrate the story of Hong Kong," said Kwok. "Hong Kong is not just about human rights abuses, Hong Kong is also about authoritarian expansion waged by the Chinese government." Since the 2020 imposition of the national security law, most of the democratic opposition has been jailed or exiled. Hong Kong authorities say the security law has brought stability, and that the eight "absconders" including Kwok, by asking foreign powers to impose sanctions on Hong Kong amongst other activities, continue to endanger national security. Besides lobbying work, and building alliances with activists, NGOs and the overseas Hong Kong diaspora in the U.S. capital, Kwok's group, The Hong Kong Democracy Council, also conducts research including a database on over 1,500 "political prisoners" in Hong Kong.

Persons: Anna Kwok, Kwok, I'm, Evelyn Hockstein, Hong Kong, it's, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: HK, Washington D.C, Hong, Hong Kong, Reuters, REUTERS, Hong Kong Democracy Council, Thomson Locations: Washington, Hong Kong, United States, China, Australia, Britain, U.S, Washington , DC, Hong, British, Beijing

She said she would continue lobbying congressmen and U.S. officials on Hong Kong issues despite fears for her personal safety given the sizeable bounty on her head. "With on-the-ground movements in Hong Kong disappearing or silenced, it's really up to us to narrate the story of Hong Kong," said Kwok. "Hong Kong is not just about human rights abuses, Hong Kong is also about authoritarian expansion waged by the Chinese government." Hong Kong authorities say the security law has brought stability, and that the eight "absconders" including Kwok, by asking foreign powers to impose sanctions on Hong Kong amongst other activities, continue to endanger national security. Besides lobbying work, and building alliances with activists, NGOs and the overseas Hong Kong diaspora in the U.S. capital, Kwok's group, The Hong Kong Democracy Council, also conducts research including a database on over 1,500 "political prisoners" in Hong Kong.

Persons: Anna Kwok, Evelyn Hockstein, Kwok, I'm, Hong Kong, it's, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Washington D.C, Hong, Hong Kong, Reuters, REUTERS, HK, Hong Kong Democracy Council, Thomson Locations: Washington, Hong Kong, Washington , DC, United States, China, Australia, Britain, U.S, Hong, British, Beijing

☆ Family of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law taken in for questioning by police
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Cnn Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Hong Kong police searched the family home of exiled pro-democracy activist Nathan Law on Tuesday morning, taking relatives away for questioning, the city’s public broadcaster RTHK reported, citing sources. The sweeping law was imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020, after huge pro-democracy protests roiled the semi-autonomous city. The Hong Kong government has repeatedly denied the national security law is suppressing freedoms. Law arrived in Britain in July 2020, soon after the national security law was imposed in Hong Kong. He criticized the national security law as being used to “suppress dissenting voices,” and reiterated his hope for Hong Kong to one day gain full democracy.

Persons: Nathan Law, John Lee, Lee, Hong, Law, ”, “, Hong Kongers Organizations: CNN, Hong, RTHK, HK, Tung, Law, ”, . Law Locations: Hong Kong, Western, United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, Beijing

Local media, citing unnamed sources, said Law's relatives were taken away from their homes in Hong Kong for questioning, then released. Law is among eight overseas-based activists who were issued with arrest warrants last week by the Hong Kong police for alleged offences under a national security law that China imposed in Hong Kong in 2020. "It is sinister that the Hong Kong authorities questioned the family members of Nathan Law," said Mark Sabah, with the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. Demosisto was founded by Law and other activists, but disbanded after the enactment of the national security law. Additional reporting by Hong Kong newsroom; Editing by Christina Fincher and Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nathan Law, Bobby Yip, Nathan Law's, Law, Mark Sabah, Hong, John Lee, Demosisto, Christina Fincher, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, police, Hong Kong, HK, Hong, Freedom, Hong Kong Foundation, Law, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Lantau, Beijing, Britain, United States

☆ Lawyer wanted by Hong Kong says he was exercising his rights in Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Hong Kong police and security bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hong Kong says 260 people have been arrested under the law, 79 of them convicted for offences including subversion and terrorism. China and Hong Kong say it was necessary to restore stability in the financial hub. Yam said he started speaking out about the rule of law in Hong Kong and the crackdown because his friends were in jail. Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Additional reporting by James Pomfret and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kevin Yam, Yam, Mao Ning, Anthony Albanese, Hong, Ted Hui, Richard McGregor, Kirsty Needham, James Pomfret, Jessie Pang, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Hong, HK, Hong Kong, of Australia, Law Society of Hong, Lowy Institute, Thomson Locations: Australian, Hong Kong, Hong, Australia, China, Beijing, British, Law Society of Hong Kong, Sydney

☆ Hong Kong police arrest 4 for allegedly aiding dissidents abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong police have arrested four people on suspicion of financially aiding activists abroad, just days after they offered bounties for information leading to the arrest of eight pro-democracy figures living in self-imposed exile. They were also charged with conspiracy to sedition, a colonial-era offense, which activists say has been increasingly used in recent years by police to stifle the legitimate criticism of authorities. The arrests came after police put bounties of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($128,000) each on eight pro-democracy activists abroad, accusing them of violating national security offenses, in a move strongly condemned by rights groups and Western governments. Hong Kong and Beijing authorities say the law restored order in the city following the protests. The suspects were accused of posting content that provoked hatred towards Beijing and the Hong Kong government, while advocating “Hong Kong Independence.” The police did not provide examples of the posts.

Persons: Ivan Lam, John Lee, they’d, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, Hong Kong, Monday, Hong Kong Independence Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Western, United States, Britain, Australia

HONG KONG, July 5 (Reuters) - Hong Kong national security police on Wednesday arrested four men it accused of supporting overseas dissidents and of advocating for independence from China, two days after issuing warrants and bounties against several foreign-based activists. Local media, citing unnamed sources, connected the arrested men to an online platform known as "Punish Mee" that was allegedly used to provide financial aid to the eight wanted overseas activists. Two sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters Lam was among the four arrested men mentioned in the police statement. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday it was "unacceptable" that Hong Kong has put bounties on two Australian residents. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that the eight would be "pursued for life".

Persons: Mee, Ivan Lam, Reuters Lam, Demosisto, Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, Anthony Albanese, John Lee, Jessie Pang, Tyrone Siu, James Pomfret, Frank Jack Daniel, Toby Chopra Organizations: police, National Security Department, Hong Kong Police, Local, National Security Law, Central Authorities, Government, Hong, Administrative, Reuters, Kwai, Police, HK, Australian, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Hong, Kwai Chung District, United States, Britain, Australia

☆ Australia PM says Hong Kong bounty on overseas activists 'unacceptable'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday eight overseas-based Hong Kong activists who were issued with arrest warrants for alleged national security offences would be "pursued for life". Hong Kong police have offered rewards of HK$1 million ($127,656) for information leading to the arrest of the eight, including Melbourne lawyer and Australian citizen Kevin Yam, and former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui, who has lived in Australia since 2021. "It's just unacceptable," Albanese said of the Hong Kong announcement in a Nine television interview. The Hong Kong activists are accused of asking foreign powers to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China, and are wanted under a national security law that Beijing imposed on the former British colony in 2020. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities say the law has restored the stability necessary for preserving the Asian financial centre's economic success.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, John Lee, Kevin Yam, Ted Hui, " Albanese, Penny Wong, Kirsty Needham, Jamie Freed Organizations: SYDNEY, Australian, Hong, Hong Kong, HK, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, Melbourne, Australia, China, Beijing, British

HONG KONG, July 4 (Reuters) - Hong Kong chief executive John Lee said on Tuesday eight overseas-based Hong Kong activists who were issued with arrest warrants for alleged national security offences, would be "pursued for life". Hong Kong police issued arrest warrants for the eight overseas-based activists on Monday, accusing them of national security offences, including foreign collusion and incitement to secession, and offered rewards for information leading to their arrest. They are wanted under a national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020. Both these countries have criticised the national security law for being used to suppress Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities say the law has restored the stability necessary for preserving Hong Kong's economic success.

Persons: John Lee, Lee, Nathan Law, Anna Kwok, Finn Lau, Dennis Kwok, Ted Hui, Kevin Yam, Mung Siu, Yuan Gong, James, Hong Kong's, Hong, James Pomfret, Donny Kwok, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Hong Kong, HK, U.S . State Department, Hong, Inter, Parliamentary Alliance, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Hong, United States, Britain, Australia, Beijing, China

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