Ring leader in ATM money laundering scam a Pinay, says arrested FDW

By Daisy CL Mandap 

A self-confessed cog in the laundering scam shows money supposedly paid her for her role 

A former domestic worker who has confessed to flying back to the Philippines after being arrested by Hong Kong police for suspected money laundering has pointed to a fellow Filipina as one of the major operators of the syndicate.

In an online message sent to The SUN, E.M. named the alleged ringleader as Juliet G.E., a resident of Jordan in Kowloon, and is married to a “black man” with whom she has a baby.

E.M. alleged that Juliet is the one who holds all the ATM cards of Filipinas lured into the illicit operation, withdraws money paid into their dummy accounts, and dispenses payment to them each time a deposit is made into their account.

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It would appear that Juliet, who is shown in pictures supplied by E.M. as dusky, long-haired and quite chubby, is indeed quite high in the syndicate’s pecking order as she reportedly offered a cut of up to 10% for every deposit made into a conduit account.

“Ang sabi nila sa amin, ganito. ‘Mag open kayo ng ATM (linked account), tapos ibigay ninyo sa akin ang card. Kung lagyan ng pera ang ATM ninyo ng $50,000 meron kayong $5,000,” said E.M.

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(This was what they told us. Open an ATM account, then give us your card. Each time  $50,000 is transferred to your account you will get $5,000).

Unlike other Filipina migrant workers lured into the scheme, E.M. does not profess not knowing anything about the illegal transactions she was made part of. She said a total of $1.2 million was laundered through her account, for which she was paid $12,000. Not quite the cut she was promised, but still substantial.

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“Dapat mahuli yan sa Hong Kong kasi siya yung may hawak ng lahat ng mga ATM dyan. Isa na akong biktima dyan,” said E.M. (She should be arrested in Hong Kong because she holds the ATM cards. I was one of her victims).

But when E.M. was arrested by the police on Nov. 24, she claimed not knowing anything about the scam because she lost her ATM.

In truth, “tinapon ko agad ang ATM ko,” said E.M.

To gain temporary freedom, she posted $5,000 police bail, then went back to her employer, who promptly terminated her, and told her to fly back home.

“Hindi na ako nakapunta sa Konsulado kasi pinauwi ako agad ng amo ko,” E.M. said. “Bago lang ako sa Hong Kong.”

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She said she was one of three in Juliet's ring that were arrested, and all of them jumped bail. Her next reporting day to the police was supposed to be on Nov 29.

“Hindi ako umamin sa pulis na may inilapit po ako, na wala akong dinalang ibang tao kasi baka hahaba pa ang kaso ko. Nagbayad na lang ako ng $5,000 tapos pinauwi ako on the spot ng amo ko.”

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(I did not admit that I recruited other people, that I brought them to the syndicate, otherwise it would just prolong my case. I just paid $5,000, then my employer sent me home on the spot).

Because she fled, she knows her chances of coming back to Hong Kong are nil.

Juliet's home is reportedly just a short walk from the Jordan MTR station

It would appear the two women became quite close because Juliet reportedly asked E.M., who did not live with her employer, to accompany her at dawn each time she withdrew money using the ATM cards supplied by her Filipina recruits.

E.M. said she also helped Juliet pack some five cargo boxes the alleged scammer would send each month to an address in Novaliches, Quezon City.

“Ang yaman na niya sa Manila. Halos isang taon ko din siyang kasama sa Hong Kong kasi ako lagi ang tinatawag niya,” said E.M.

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(She has become very rich in Manila. I was with her for nearly a year in Hong Kong because she used to call me all the time).

The alleged victim also said Juliet and her husband used to go to Macau every six months to lure Filipinos there into their illicit trap. It is not clear, though, who else were working with the couple in moving millions of dollars in dirty money, using gullible and greedy migrant workers as their conduits.

E.M. said she decided to point to Juliet as a key figure in the scam so she could be arrested, and stopped from victimizing other Filipinas.

“Kapag hindi mahuli yan, ma’am, ang dami pang Pilipinang makukulong,” E.M. said.

(Until she’s arrested, more Filipinas would end up in jail).

At least four other Filipina domestic workers have been arrested for their suspected involvement in the money laundering operation so far. Unlike E.M., however, all that the women claimed to have received from the scammers was a measly $400 to $900.

They all pointed to another Filipina named Gemmalyn as their handler.

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HK residents born in ’62-’63 may still apply for new smart IDs until Feb 20

By The SUN 

The new HK ID card has more security features than the previous smart ID

The Immigration Department has extended the deadline for applying for new smart identity cards for those born between 1962 and 1963 to Feb 20 this year.

The original deadline was Jul 28 last year, but this was extended for two weeks (except for the Lunar New Year holidays) starting today because of repeated suspension of services at the Smart Identity Card Centres amid the pandemic.

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Services at all SIDCCs across Hong Kong were last suspended from Dec 2, 2020 to Jan 31, 2021.

“Due to the service suspension of the SIDCCs, some persons born in 1962 or 1963 may have been unable to apply for new HKICs within the application period previously announced,” said a statement from Immigration in explaining the extension.

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Meanwhile, those born between 1973 to 1976 may start having their old ID cards replaced with the Smart IDs from Feb 22 until Jul 9 this year.

Those born in 2005 until2007 and 2012 to 2018 may apply for ID card replacements from May 3 to Sept 18 this year.

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Further details are as follows: 

Eligible persons	Application period
Holders of the old form of smart HKIC born in 1962 or 1963	July 28, 2020 - February 20, 2021 (Revised)
Holders of the old form of smart HKIC born in 1973, 1974, 1975 or 1976	February 22 - July 9, 2021
Holders of the old form of smart HKIC born in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 or 2018	May 3 - September 18, 2021

The amendment to the schedule will be tabled at the Legislative Council on Feb 24 for negative vetting.

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The existing call-up period for those born in 1970 to 1972 previously announced remains unchanged, meaning the application period will still last until Apr 30, 2021.

To avoid large gatherings, Immigration is appealing to applicants to make prior appointment bookings via www.gov.hk/newicbooking, Immigration’s mobile application, or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121 1234. 

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Applicants can also fill up the application form when making appointment bookings through the Internet or the mobile application to save waiting time.

As before, each applicant can bring along two people aged 65 and above, or those with disability, so they can secure their new Smart IDs at the same time.

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For details of the replacement exercise, visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk or call the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111.

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Another PAL flight cancellation leaves PH-bound workers in limbo

By Vir B. Lumicao 

Some of those who went to the airport, not knowing the PAL flight had been canceled

Five of 12 Filipino passengers of Philippine Airlines whose flight was cancelled early Tuesday, Feb 2, faced spending the night in the open if the Mission for Migrant Workers did not step in to help them.

The four female domestic helpers and one male musician who were stranded in the city went straight to the Mission office at St John’s Cathedral from the airport to seek help on what to do about their situation.

They said two other stranded helpers were called back into their employers’ homes while five others decided to stay at Hong Kong Airport to wait for the next available PAL flight.

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But the group said they didn’t want to hang around at the airport without knowing when they could actually board a flight back to the Philippines.

All claimed they were not told in advance that their flight had been canceled, so they confidently packed all their stuff and headed to the airport for their early morning flight, only to be told they were going nowhere.

Bangcawayan (in blue dress) assures the group they will be given shelter

Told about their plight, Consul Paulo Saret, head of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate said he had already spoken with PAL’s country manager, and she reportedly said “nag auto-email naman daw po sila after they learned na canceled yung flight.”

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He promised to relay the message that PAL should send text messages or call up the passengers instead, as most migrants don’t have easy access to emails - if they have them.

On Jan 3, more than 40 Filipinos were also stranded at the airport when PAL likewise cancelled their flight, and all claimed not to have been told about it in advance. Most of them slept at the airport for two days before they got a flight home on Jan 5.

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One of the workers who were left stranded in the later incident told Mission case officer Esther Bangcawayan that she arrived at 8:30am at the airport, only to be told at the PAL check-in counter that her 11:30am flight was cancelled.

“Dec 22 ako bi-nook ng employer ko and then noong malapit na ang flight ko, kinansela. Then after two weeks kinansela na naman,” said Mercy Liban, who has decided to finally return home to take care of her elderly mother in Reina Mercedes, Isabela. (My employer booked me for the Dec 22 flight, but a few days before the flight, it was canceled. Then after two weeks it was canceled again).

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Liban said she called up PAL and was told to report to the airline’s office in Tsimshatsui. Staff there gave her an option to book her flight for Jan 30 and she agreed because her visa was expiring on Jan 31. She also agreed to pay an extra $140 for the service.

However, three days before Liban’s flight, her employer received an email from PAL saying the flight had been moved to Feb 2, so she demanded a refund of her $140.

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The stranded passengers had their heavy luggage with them, with nowhere to go

A day before her scheduled flight, her employer told Liban her flight was confirmed so she woke up early. At 8am, her employer’s husband drove her to the airport, only to be told the flight was cancelled.

She called up the PAL office and the staff there said they couldn’t do anything but to say “sorry” because it was the government in Manila that cancelled the flight.

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The excuse, which was the same given to the other group that was not able to fly out on Jan 3, did not sit well with the passengers. How could the government tell PAL to cancel its Hong Kong flight when Cebu Pacific and Cathay Pacific were able to fly and land in Manila on the same day?

Strangely, the Terminal 2 flight information board at MIAA-NAIA also showed PAL was able to fly in from four cities overseas – from Los Angeles, Dammam, Narita and Seoul. What could have been the reason why its flights to and from Hong Kong were barred on the same day?

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The group that sought help from the Mission all said they had nowhere to stay especially if they are made to wait long for the next flight.

Laurita Manal, a Candelaria, Quezon native who had worked here for 18 years, was emotional because her children were expecting her arrival. She was at the airport as early as 4:30am to be first for the check-in and was broken-hearted by the cancellation.

Musician Boy Dilag, from Imus, Cavite who has been a Hong Kong resident for 30 years, said he was going home for good because he had no work since the pandemic forced pubs, bars and night clubs to give up live bands.

Dilag said he had nowhere to go because he had given up his rented flat. At 6pm, he and the four women were still uncertain about where to spend the night.

But Bangcawayan assured them they would have a place to stay as the Mission would call up other NGOs that provide shelter for distressed migrant workers so they will have a roof over their heads until the day they finally fly out.

“Sa ngayon, kasi ang kailangan ay mayroon silang matirhan, kaya ihahanap namin sila ng matitirhan, although ang isang point, dapat yung Philippine Airlines responsable siya sa kanyang passengers,” Bangcawayan said. (What’s important for now is that they have a place to stay so we will help them, although it should be Philippine Airlines which should bear the responsibility for its passengers).

She said if there’s a flight cancellation, PAL should first, notify the passengers; second, if there’s a cancellation, it should provide free board and lodging, and third, rebook tickets. She said the workers are all jobless and have no means to pay for rebooking.

“Basically, the problem is with Philippine Airlines. Whatever the reason, whether it’s because the government [banned] travel, responsible pa rin siya sa kanyang pasahero,” Bangcawayan said.

The next concern is visa, as two workers’ permission to stay had already expired, so they need to apply for an extension. The Mission offered to accompany them to Immigration to explain their predicament, and hopefully, get a waiver of the visa extension fee.

Two of the workers will have to apply for visa extension after failing to fly out

The workers and Bangcawayan discussed other problems, including how they could seek compensation from the airlines for allegedly abandoning them after canceling their flight without prior notice.

But that could be a long shot. Amid uncertainties caused by the pandemic, PAL, like all other airlines, is claiming no liability for whatever adverse consequences may be caused by its inability to fly, or refusal to board anyone.  

A warning it has posted on its website says: “Policies purchased after [23th Mar 2020] will not provide any cover for claims directly or indirectly arising from, relating to or in any way connected with Covid-19 (or any mutation or variation thereof or any related strain). We will not therefore cover claims relating to any inability to travel, any decision not to travel or any changes to travel plans, nor any medical or health related loss or expense incurred, as a result of Covid-19.”

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More lockdowns ordered as number of new infections dip to 25

By Daisy CL Mandap 

Map from Food & Health Bureau shows an entire block in Sham Shui Po has been locked down

Several buildings in Sham Shui Po, Jordan and Tin Shui Wai have been sealed off overnight, as the government undertakes “ambush lockdowns” for the second day in a row in a bid to put the coronavirus infections under control.

Locked down for about 12 hours starting at about 7pm tonight are 17 buildings located in an entire block in Sham Shui Po, a couple of blocks on three roads, including Nathan Road in Jordan, and Heng Lok House in Tin Shui Wai.

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The lockdown order, officially called as “restriction-testing declaration,” requires everyone who had stayed in designated buildings to undergo tests for Covid-19, or face sanctions.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam defended the quick lockdowns amid criticism that they had been ineffective, as the past six such operations yielded no new infections.

“First of all as I have said many times, in terms of public health, a lot of the work done is preventive. In fact, to have zero transmission and zero infection is the best-ever public health achievement that could be made by every authority. The purpose of doing compulsory tests and this "restriction-testing declaration" is with that objective in mind, that we want to achieve zero case for the whole community,” said Lam.

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She argued that residents who had gone through the test are better assured that their living area is safe if no new cases emerge.

Ambush lockdown in Sham Shui Po is underway (RTHK photo)

The new lockdowns came as health officials announced 25 new coronavirus infections Tuesday, the lowest in more than two weeks. All but one of the cases were locally acquired, and four of these were of unknown source.

The sole imported case was an air crew who arrived from Belgium.

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Among the unlinked cases were six patients who all dined together between Jan 28 and 29 in Hong Kong island. Five are confirmed cases, while one is preliminary positive.

Three of them work in Uniqlo clothing store on the fifth floor of Langham Place in Mong Kok.

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Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection said the patients were friends who gathered for a meal in a private home, but since three worked at the same place, they could not rule out that the infection happened in the workplace.

Chuang says the 3 infected staff from Uniqlo partied with 8 others on Jan 28

“We suspect that the gathering may be the cause of the spread of infections among friends. But as three of them work in the same workplace, either full-time or part-time, there’s still a possibility that there’s some silent transmission in the workplace,” said Chuang.

As a result, 80 staff at Uniqlo - 20 fulltime and 50 parttime -  were ordered to undergo Covid-19 tests, and the store has been closed for disinfection.

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Chuang said was not likely customers were infected, but still encouraged those who are worried or have developed symptoms to get tested.

Of the linked cases, five are related to the construction sites for the third runway at Chek Lap Kok. One of them is a worker there, while four are close contacts.

More than 20 preliminary cases were also recorded, including a staff at an elderly care home in Shek Kip Mei, where two residents had previously tested positive for the virus.

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About 100 residents and 70 staff at the care home had been moved to quarantine centers.

Chuang also reported that five newly arrived patients who tested positive for Covid-19 recently were found to carry the coronavirus mutation, known to spread more rapidly than the common strain.

Two of the patients flew in from United Arab Emirates, another from Ireland via Dubai, a fourth from Pakistan, and the last from Switzerland. They all arrived in Hong Kong between Jan 5 and 19.

Meanwhile, another confirmed patient passed away at Princess Margaret Hospital at 5:19pm today. The death of the 78-year-old male patient brought the city’s fatality tally in public hospitals to 179.

Earlier, another 78-year-old male patient succumbed to the illness at Tuen Mun Hospital.

A total of 723 confirmed patients are being treated at 23 public hospitals and the treatment facility at AsiaWorld Expo. Among them, 30 are in critical condition, 31 in serious condition, and 662 in stable condition.

There are now a total of 10,512 coronavirus cases in the city.

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CE says govt will make sure first Covid-19 vaccine arrives end of Feb

By The SUN 

CE Lam says BioNTech vaccine on track to arrive end of February

The Chief Executive has given assurance that the government will do its best to ensure that the first approved vaccine for use in Hong Kong, Fosun/BioNTech, will arrive as scheduled by the end of this month.

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But, she said a snag could still happen because of events unfolding in Europe, where the vaccine is manufactured.

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“Of course we will make sure that it will come but as you have read the news in the European Union (EU), there have been all sorts of things happening in the EU, and this vaccine is manufactured in Germany, so we have to watch the situation very carefully,” said the CE.

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“Since we have a contract to buy, I hope that all the other organisations will respect this contractual relationship and allow the BioNTech vaccine to come to Hong Kong by the end of this month.”

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Lam, who spoke before the start of the Executive Council meeting today, Feb 2, said the vaccination will start almost immediately after the BioNTech vaccine arrives because the government has got almost everything ready for the exercise.

Vaccination will start as soon as the first doses arrive, says the CE

She also assured the public that the coronavirus vaccines will only be administered after they’ve passed scrutiny by medical experts.

Hong Kong has ordered 7.5 million doses each from BioNTech, Sinovac and AstraZeneca. The last one is not expected to arrive until the latter part of the year, but Sinovac’s scheduled arrival last month was delayed because of its failure to submit data required by the government.

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“We have been liaising very closely with the manufacturer. The latest is we will be given the data so that the experts could consider the data and recommend for the Secretary for Food and Health to authorise this vaccine for use,” said Lam.

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She said she had received assurance from Beijing that the Central Government would help secure the early arrival of Sinovac.

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