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| The stiffer sentence was handed down at Fanling Magistrates' Court |
A Filipina former domestic helper who denied complicity in the transfer of more than $300,000 in tainted money in her bank account was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to 15 months in prison at Fan Ling Magistracy yesterday, Feb. 12.
Emilyn B. Olarte, 40 years old, was found to have
dealt with a total of HK$321,352.22 in criminal proceeds, in an account in her
name with ZA Bank Limited, between Oct 12, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
She pleaded not guilty to one count of dealing with property
known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to
sections 25 (1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.
But after trial, Magistrate Kenneth Chan found her
guilty of the offence, and imposed the standard 15 months’ jail term for money
laundering in which the amount involved was around $300,000.
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| See details |
No discount was given as she chose to dispute the
charge.
Sentences for money laundering have been increased or "enhanced" at
the behest of police and the Department of Justice because of the increasing number of
cases of this nature.
However, just yesterday, HK Police Commissioner Joe
Chow told the Legislative Council that fraud cases fell 2.9 percent overall
last year, the first time a decline was recorded since 2019.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Olarte was assisted in her case by the assistance to
nationals team of the Philippine Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong.
