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Madali lang sumali! Dapat ikaw muna ay isang Barkadahan sa SmarTone user at may My SIM Account SIM app. Sa app, may rewards o mga points mula sa SmarTone. Kapag may 20 Spoints ka, pwede kang maka redeem ng 1 raffle E-TICKET na may $5 e-Top Up coupons.

Hanapin lang ang photo ng Xmas at New Year Lucky Draw sa Spoints at i-press ito. Hanggang 5 entries pwede mo i-redeem para mas malaki chance manalo.

Ang Grand Prize ay $3,000. 2nd Prize ay $2,000 at 3rd Prize ay $1,000.

Pag nabunot ka, dadalhin ka ng SmarTone sa YATA Supermarket at mamimili ka na. Grocery Mo, Sagot Ng SmarTone!

Paano ba magka-Spoints? Sa Barkadahan sa SmarTone, kada $1 spending mo, may katumbas na 1 SPoint. Ang mga SPoint ay may katumbas naman na regalo. Para maka-redeem nito, dapat mong malaman muna ilan ang Spoints mo. Heto lang yan.

 

(1)         Open “My SIM Account”, tap “SPoints”, “SmarTone Point”, "Redeem Ng Regalo" at i-select 2024 Xmas & New Year Lucky Draw. I-press “Buy”, i-press ang “+” hanggang 5 beses para mas madami chance manalo.

 

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Ang last day para mag redeem ng e-ticket ay sa Jan 19, 2025. Ang bola naman ay sa Jan 22, 2025.

Kung wala ka pang “My SIM Account” App, i-press mo lang https://wap.smartone.com/bssapp/ gamit iyong Barkadahan sa SmarTone na SIM. Para naman malaman mga latest promos o offers, i-press https://www.smartone.com/hk/BSS/OnlineNews/AL Para naman sa iba pang serbisyo ng SmarTone, i-press  \https://www.smartone.com/hk/BSS/OnlineNews

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Barkadahan sa SmarTone 
For the OFW, with the OFW! 

 

Filipina fails in bid to overturn drug trafficking conviction

 

High Court, where the Court of Appeal hearing was held

The Court of Appeal today rejected an appeal against the conviction of a Filipina and a Nigerian, who had been sentenced to 25 and 26 years in prison for receiving a parcel that contained 2,971 grams of Ice and 418 grams of ketamine.

“I am not here to retry the case,” Justice of Appeal Kevin Zervos told former domestic helper Alma Montano and her co-appelant Nwokeji Ifeanyi Canis, who were convicted unanimously on June 30, 2023 by a jury before Deputy High Court Judge D Yau. “I didn’t hear the evidence like the jury did.”

In his decision issued after a break in the hearing, however, Justice Zervos discussed the facts presented to the court.

Basahin ang detalye!

He noted, for example, that the case revolved around whether the two had known about the drugs inside the parcel that had been intercepted by Customs officers in a delivery company’s logistics center.

Posing as delivery men, they arrested Montano after she received the parcel at her former employer’s address. Nwokeji, an asylum seeker, was arrested after he received the parcel from Montano, who by then was cooperating with the officers in a controlled delivery.

Justice Zervos said: “At trial, the sole issue in respect of both counts was whether the 1^st and 2^nd applicants had knowledge of the dangerous drug in the parcel…. The prosecution’s case was that, based on all circumstantial evidence, the irresistible inference was that both of them knew of the drugs in the parcel.”

A Whatsapp chat between the two, which was found in both their mobile phones, suggests that “they were more than casual acquaintances, the delivery of the parcel was well-planned and the shipment was referred to as ‘our shipment,’” he said.

He rejected their grounds of appeal, such as Montano’s complaint that it took two days for the jury to deliberate on her guilt, which he said was not unusual in the judicial process.

She claimed she was a victim of a drug operation involving “a football gang”, citing two letters from Father John Wotherspoon who said cases against a number of women from Indonesia and the Philippines had been dismissed because they were used by a group of Nigerian men to traffic in dangerous drugs. 

But Justice Zervos noted that the letters did not give enough information about these cases, such as their case numbers.

He also rejected Nwokeji’s claim that the parcel was not addressed to him, and did not have his fingerprints or DNA. The judge said it was never the prosecution's case that the second appellant had directly received the parcel containing the drugs.

What was not in dispute, according to the judge, was that Nwokeji (i) took possession of the parcel containing the drugs with a street value of $1.8 million on a public street from the 1^st applicant; (ii) the drug traffickers would not have entrusted such a valuable quantity of drugs to a stranger for delivery; (iii) the 2^nd applicant was apprehended holding an unlocked telephone that contained drug importation and trafficking messages with 1k imo (the intended recipient) when he picked up the parcel; (iv) the 1^st applicant identified the 2^nd applicant as Baby Loves, who instructed her to receive the parcel containing the drugs; (v) the 2^nd applicant’s call records and messages corresponded with those on the 1^st applicant’s mobile telephone and related events."

Judge Zervos said the applicants are entitled by law to renew their appeal, but they should be reminded that should they lose their bid for the second time, the Court may issue a direction for any loss of time spent in custody pending their appeals.

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Beware of phishing scams on Carousell

 

Carousell joins hands with police in warning against online shopping scams

Police have warned people who use the popular trading platform Carousell against clicking on supposed payment links, as this could lead to their bank accounts being hacked.

The warning issued Tuesday came as the police reported 644 cases of people being defrauded of a total of $36 million in the first 10 months of the year, after they clinked on a link supplied by bogus buyers on Carousell.

But this number represents just a small fraction of the total number of technology crimes recorded in the same period.

Basahin ang detalye!

According to the authorities, 28,000 such scams have been reported so far, a 23.7 percent increase over the same period last year.

Of these, a third involved online shopping, where the total losses amounted to a total of $332 million, more than double than in the previous year.

In the case of Carousell, the number of scams rose ironically, after the online selling platform introduced a new system in August to prevent fraud. Under this set-up, a seller receives payment only after the buyer has confirmed receipt of the goods.

But scammers found a way to exploit the new system from the get-go, resulting in 330 cases of fraud being reported between August and October, involving losses amounting to $25 million.

According to the police, scammers would pose as buyers and offer to pay for the items through the new system, but would then ask the seller to provide an email address.

After the seller provided an email address, the supposed buyer passed on a phishing link, which when clicked, led to a website that asked for details of the seller’s online banking account, supposedly for payment.

The fraudsters posing as buyers would then drain the victims’ accounts.

In one case, the losses involved amounted to $900,000.

Carousell chief of staff Tan Su-lin said users are not supposed to provide their email address when using the payment service, and should definitely not click on links or scan QR codes from unknown senders, or provide sensitive personal information over email or chat.

“In today's day and age, it's really a very risky behaviour to click on any links that you receive, whether it's via e-mail, or through your WhatsApp,” she said.

Chief Inspector Felton Leung said buyers eager to snap a bargain on the platform are also victimized, as in the case of people who are desperate to get hold of concert tickets on the black market.

“The scammers … play mind games with the victims. They knew that the victims want [the product] so much and it's so hard to get in any other places, so they will put on some time frame or time constraint on the victims. If they don't settle the deal as soon as possible, they will not get the tickets”, he explained.

Leung advised buyers to transact only with reputable sellers, and to opt for face-to-face transaction whenever possible.

Police said similar scams had been reported in Singapore and Malaysia, so they will investigate whether these are linked to those in Hong Kong, and whether they were the work of the same syndicate.

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Be careful when using anti-dandruff shampoo: Consumer Council

 

The onset of cold weather has increased the number of people complaining of flaky and itchy skin, and dandruff.

Before buying anti-dandruff shampoo, however, people could consider the advice of the Consumer Council: “Consumers should first look into the root cause (of dandruff) before selecting suitable products to address their problem.”

In a study, the council tested 25 brands of shampoo containing four anti-dandruff active ingredients -- zinc pyrithione (ZPT), piroctone olamine, climbazole, and salicylic acid – with prices ranging from $50 to $430 per bottle. The test did not grade them for their dandruff removal performance.

Basahin ang detalye!

The council found that three of these brands did not contain the four anti-dandruff ingredients, of which two claimed to use herbal ingredients against dandruff.

Of these 25 brands, four were found to contain ZPT at above the limits set by the European Union’s (EU) Cosmetics Regulation, although they meet the requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for use as an active ingredient in Over-the-Counter (OTC) drug products, and complied with the requirements of the Mainland’s Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics.

Aside from its anti-dandruff quaity, ZPT is also antibacterial. “However, animal studies have shown ZPT may damage the unborn child, while studies have also shown that it could cause allergic contact dermatitis, as well as irritation if it gets into the eyes,” it said.

The Consumer Council said 10 brands contained salicylic acid, one of which had a concentration as high as 1.9%, which may be categorized as an OTC drug if sold in the US.

“… the majority of the models with salicylic acid as a labelled ingredient did not carry the warning label ‘not to be used for children under 3 years of age’ in accordance with EU requirement,” the council said.

The test also found fragrance allergens in over 90% of the brands, of which two were even detected with the butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), which is banned in EU due to its reproductive toxicity.

Eight of the brands were found to contain galaxolide (HHCB), which is not only allergenic, but also highly toxic to aquatic life and not readily biodegradable, posing a threat to the marine ecosystem, it said.

The Council said consumers should take care of their scalp regularly to avoid dandruff problems by doing the following:

- Select products based on the scalp and hair type, and consider switching shampoos according to changes in the weather, such as using products with better oil control during summer, and opting for more moisturizing products in winter;

- Avoid using excessively hot water for washing hair, and refrain from scratching the scalp with fingernails as it may cause wounds and infection. Rinse hair thoroughly after using hair products;

- Minimize use of hairstyling products and hair dyes, as the irritating ingredients may increase dandruff formation; also reduce the use of products containing alcohol or greasy haircare products.

- Carefully review product labels before purchasing, and avoid products with highly allergenic ingredients such as fragrance allergens, methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), especially for individuals with eczema or skin allergy;

- Use according to the instructions, including the usage frequency and amount, and the duration of leaving the product on the scalp;

- If symptoms do not subside after using anti-dandruff shampoo for a period of time, or if redness or swelling of the scalp occurs, the user should seek medical advice.

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Bus fares to go up on Jan 25

 

The new fares will take effect on Jan 25

The Hong Kong government today approved bus fare increases of between 4.5 per cent and 7.5 per cent, effective Jan. 25, resulting in 80 per cent of passengers expected to pay no more than $0.5 extra per trip and about 95 per cent expected to pay no more than $1 extra per trip.

The fare increases approved by the Chief Executive in Council (CE in C) were mostly lower than the increases requested by franchised bus operators:

(a) The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) got an overall 4.3 per cent weighted average rate of increase after a 0.9 percentage points (ppts) mitigation effect by its Franchised Bus Toll Exemption Fund (TEF) (i.e. 5.2 per cent before mitigation); it applied for 6.5 per cent.

(b) Citybus Limited (Franchise for the Urban and New Territories bus network) (CTB(U&NT)) got an overall weighted average increase of 7.5 per cent; it aplied for 9.5 per cet.

(c) New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited (NLB) got an overall weighted average increase of 6.5 per cent; it applierd for 6.5 per cent.

Basahin ang detalye!

A government spokesman said the Government has duly exercised its gatekeeping role by carefully and rigorously scrutinizing the fare increase applications from franchised bus operators.

“The decision of the CE in C endeavored to minimise impacts on livelihood on one hand, and on the other also take into account the financial sustainability of franchised bus operators, with a view to enabling the franchised bus operators to continue to provide reliable and safe services to citizens,” the spokesman said.

“During the approval process, the government has examined the operating situation of the franchised bus industry, forecast financial performance, indices relevant to public affordability, as well as quality and quantity of their bus services,” the spokesman said.

The Government has also exempted franchised bus operators from paying tolls when using government tolled tunnels and control areas since February 2019. The Tunnel Exemption Funds set up with the tolls saved has continued to perform its function, and effectively reduced the rate of fare increase of KMB this time.

The spokesman said, "Although patronage and revenue of franchised buses have bounced back noticeably after the epidemic, they are unable to fully recover to the pre-epidemic level due to reasons such as changes in travelling and consumption patterns.

“Further, franchised bus operators need to maintain reasonable remuneration packages to attract a high-quality workforce, as well as make investments in transition to a new energy bus fleet. The Government has been assisting franchised bus operators in making substantial efforts to improve operational sustainability over the past few years, including broadening sources of non-farebox revenue, and enhancing operational efficiency through rationalisation of bus routes having regard to latest patterns of passenger demand. After careful consideration of the overall situation, the Government is satisfied that suitable adjustments to fares are necessary to help the franchised bus operators to maintain reasonable financial capability to continue to operate and invest."

The spokesman continued, "There had been few increases in franchised bus fares for a period in the past. Over the longer horizon, the cumulative rates of fare increases are still noticeably lower than changes in the Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI) and other indices within the corresponding period. Taking the figures since mid-2008 as an example, after including the fare increases approved this time, the cumulative fare increases of the three franchises over the some 16 years averaged 1.6 per cent to 2.2 per cent on a yearly basis, while the cumulative change in the CCPI averaged 3 per cent on a yearly basis and the cumulative change in Median Monthly Household Income averaged 4.2 per cent on a yearly basis."

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Court throws out Filipina’s theft case, says employer should be the one charged

 

Rechel Paner (2nd left) poses in front of the Fanling Court with the Consulate’s representative Danny Baldon, duty lawyer’s interpreter Lorna Gelizon and the court intepreter, Christine Santos

The Fanling Court today dismissed theft charges against a Filipina domestic helper and turned the tables on her accuser, her former employer, suggesting authorities charge her with perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to defraud the Immigration Department.

Magistrate Kenneth Chan also criticized the police for giving him an “ugly impression that it sided with the rich and did not respect the rights of the downtrodden” after officers ignored an earlier complaint of Rechel Paner, 39 years old, who called the emergency number 999 that she was assaulted by her employer, and instead arrested her for theft.

Paner was accused by her employer Lo Wai-yin of stealing her diamond ring, a gold nugget and a jewelry box in her three-story house on Melrose Ave. in Lok Ma Chau.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

After she was charged, Paner was detained for five months because her two bail applications were rejected twice, until Magistrate Chan took over the case, started the trial and allowed her to post bail of $1,000.

In his verdict, Magistrate Chan branded as fabricated the allegation that Paner stole the jewelry and put them in a laundry bag that contained her belongings on March 15, 2024.

During the four-day trial, it was established she was not the only one who had access to the laundry bag; there was another domestic helper, aside from the employer’s family.

Basahin ang detalye!

He also noted that the CCTV cameras were turned off in the whole house on that day, which the employer explained was because Paner did not want to be filmed while changing clothes. But the maids’ room, where she changed clothes, has no CCTV camera, he noted.

Prosecution, he concluded, failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Paner stole the items. “I do not believe they were stolen,” he declared.

During the trial, another domestic helper appeared as prosecution witness.

It turned out that she was not supposed to be working for Lo, because immigration records show that her employment visa was based on a work contract signed with a certain Elaine Yiu, and was not registered with the Philippine Consulate.

The Filipina admitted she was working for Lo without proper documents, which put both of them at risk of being charged with conspiracy to defraud the Immigration Director.

“I urge Police and Immigration authorities to join forces to investigate this,” Chan said.

After her acquittal, Paner approached her duty lawyer, Yasmine Zahir, to thank her.

She also thanked the Consulate’s representative Danny Baldon and the duty lawyer’s interpreter Lorna Gelizon, who each chipped in $500 for her bail, which she repaid once she got out of jail, as well as the court intepreter, Christine Santos.

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Romance scams lead to losses of over $10M in just one week

Fake shipping labels used in a romance-mail scam

Criminals in Hong Kong have been turning to online fraud as the fastest way to make money, and romance scams are still very much the way women are robbed of their life savings.

In the past week alone, the police said they received 21 reports of online romance scams, with  total losses of more than $10 million. Among the victims was a 48-year-old non-local woman who lost about $4.8 million to an online beau who posed as a cryptocurrency investor.

As often happens  in these cases, a third party is brought into the picture, usually a bank account holder who is enticed to lend, sell, or turn over his or her ATM to the online lover, who then uses it to launder the proceeds from the scam.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

What happens next is that the culprit or culprits disappear without a trace, leaving the account holder, in many cases a foreign domestic helper or any such vulnerable resident, alone to face the prospect of being jailed for money laundering.

According to the police, the victim in this recent case initially received a random message on WhatsApp, which led to her agreeing to have a romantic relationship with the online fraudster. The scammer then started asking the woman to keep putting money in a fake investment scheme.

As what happens in such cases, the fraudster or fraudsters (as there could be several people taking turns wooing and beguiling the victim) disappear when they can no longer squeeze money from the victim.

Basahin ang detalye!

Authorities warn this is not the first time that a romance scam turned into an investment fraud, so people, particularly women, should be wary of unknown people who often pose as professionals, befriending them on social media

These scammers often engage in flattery and confess to some vulnerability to establish a romantic relationship, before engaging in various ploys to extract money from the unsuspecting victim.

A usual excuse is the urgent need for cash because of an emergency, or to pay for customs duties for a valuable gift that the fraudster supposedly sent to the victim. Nowadays, one of the tricks used is  to entice the victim to progressively put in money on a supposed high-yielding investment scheme.

To avoid falling prey to such scams, people are told to verify the identities of unknown individuals who contact them on social media by checking their friends’ lists for any mutual friends, and initiating video calls to at least have an idea of how the other person looks.

Additionally, if asked for large sums for supposed medical expenses, cash flow issues, or customs fees for valuable gifts from abroad, the target victims should immediately stop communicating with the other person.

In addition, everyone must stay away from unheard-of investment platforms, and from downloading unverified applications.

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Anti-scam event draws attention to crimes ensnaring OFWs

 

 

Police Deputy Comm Chow Yat-ming addresses the anti-scam event

A two-day Anti-Scam Carnival which ended today at the West Kowloon Cultural District has shone a spotlight on what has accounted for almost half of all crimes in Hong Kong, and has ensnared a growing number of Filipinos who ended up being imprisoned for money laundering.

Chow Yat-ming, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), said Police recorded 36,405 fraud cases as of October 2024, accounting for 46.3 per cent of the total crimes. The monetary loss involved reached $7.04 billion during the period, he added.

Accompanying the rise in scams was the increase in money laundering cases by nearly 60 per cent as of October 2024, compared with the same period of 2023.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Chow reminded the public to pay attention to anti-money laundering messages from Police, safeguard their personal accounts, and never rent, lend or sell their bank accounts or e-wallets the third parties.

He urged them to stay vigilant against deception, support Police anti-scam campaigns and share scam prevention information with friends and family to collectively guard against scams.

The public has been receptive to the campaign, as downloads of the mobile application Scameter+ has exceeded 840 000, with an increase of 47 per cent this year.

PINDUTIN DITO

Such public involvement in avoiding scams is matched by Police collaboration with various sectors to comprehensively combat scammers.

For instance, since November 2023, Police have worked with the banking industry to implement several measures including the Suspicious Account Alert system, which extended its coverage to include online banking, e-wallets, and bank counter transactions starting from August this year.

This month, the third phase of the system was rolled out to cover automated teller machines (ATMs), offering the public a more comprehensive protection.

The Anti-Scam Carnival was organized by the Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB), the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) and the Financial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (FIIB) of the Hong Kong Police Force held the Anti-Scam Carnival at the West Kowloon Cultural District to increase public awareness of scam, money laundering and cyber threats through thematic game booths, as well as various music, dance and magic performance.

Basahin ang detalye!

Also officiating at the ceremony were the Director of Crime and Security, Yip Wan-lung; the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Chung Wing-man; the Chief Superintendent of FIIB, Ms Cheng Lai-ki; the Chief Superintendent of CCB, Yau Kin-hung; and the Chief Superintendent of CSTCB, Lam Cheuk-ho.

In the award presentation of the Anti-Scam of Lucky Draw organised by the CSTCB, attracting over 1.8 million participants, the grand prize winner received an electric vehicle.

To report any scam to police, go to: https://www2.erc.police.gov.hk/cmiserc/EGIS-HK-Web_NEW_UI/ereport_details

$50 bail gets Filipina freed in $90 theft case

 

The alleged theft happened in this Tseung Kwan O estate (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina has been freed after posting bail of $50 for two theft charges based on a complaint by her former employer.

The case against A. Delon, 36 years old, was adjourned to Jan. 13 next year after she appeared on Thursday (Dec. 12) in Kwun Tong court before Acting Principal Magistrate Leung Ka-kie.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The first charge in the complaint filed by Tseung Kwan O police last Oct. 17, was based on Delon's employer Chen Tianyan's accusation that she stole one face mask costing $30 and a Dove hair conditioner worth $30.

In the second charge, Delon was accused by her employer of stealing one Dove hair conditioner worth $30.

PINDUTIN DITO

The alleged thefts happened on Sept. 14 and 15 inside Chen’s flat in Tower 3, Monterey, Tong Chun St., Tseung Kwan O.

Meanwhile, prosecutors withdrew a theft charge against F. Cac, 47 years old, after she agreed in Eastern Court to a bind-over agreement under which she would be fined $1,000 if she reoffends.

Basahin ang detalye!

In addition, she was made by Principal Magistrate Don So to pay compensation of $500 to the person she was accused of stealing the amount, Lu Wentao.

The alleged theft happened in a Wellcome store on Queen’s Road West, Western District last Sept. 30.

 

Coldest day this winter recorded in HK today

 

It will be even colder in higher places or those in wide, open areas like Disneyland

The Hong Kong Observatory said the temperature dipped to 13.8 degrees in the urban areas this morning, Saturday, the lowest so far this winter.

It was much colder in some parts of the territory, however, with temperatures dropping to a as low as 3.3 degrees in Tai Mo Shan and around 12 degrees in other parts of the New Territories.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Tomorrow  is forecast to be even colder as a strong northeast monsoon comes closer to Hong Kong. Temperatures will dip to between 12 and 17 degrees in the city, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories, especially on high ground.

PINDUTIN DITO

The daytime temperatures will rise gradually early next week, but it will remain cool in the morning and at night.

Basahin ang detalye!

Temperatures will range between 14 and 19 degrees on Monday, rising to 16 and 22 degrees on Friday, before dipping a few degrees lower for the rest of the week.

14 persons arrested in latest anti-illegal work sweep

 

One of the women arrested for suspected illegal work is led away

A total of 10 suspected illegal workers, three employers and one aider and abettor, were arrested in a series of territory-wide operations conducted by the Immigration Department over four days,  from Dec. 9 to 14.

In the first phase 13 premises were targeted in different location, including hotels, restaurants and flats under renovation.

Two suspected illegal workers, one man and woman aged 38 and 41 were arrested, along with a 55-year-old woman suspected of employing them.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Separately, 24 locations in Eastern and Western districts were located, resulting in the arrest of eight suspected illegal workers, two employers and one aider and abettor.

The suspected illegal workers comprised five men and three women, aged 29 to 57. Among them, two men and one woman were found to possess forged Hong Kong identity cards.

Two men, aged 29 and 41, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers, were also arrested. Another man,  aged 65, was also detained on suspicion of aiding and abetting a person in breaching the condition of stay in Hong Kong.

PINDUTIN DITO

Illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, for which an immediate custodial  sentence of up to two years and a maximum fine of $50,000 is prescribed.

The length of imprisonment could go up to the three years if the offender is an overstayer, illegal immigrant or a refugee.

Those found to be in possession or have used a fake Hong Kong ID card, or one belonging to another person, could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $100,000.

Basahin ang detalye!

Employers  are meted the highest sentence, with the prescribed maximum fine of $500,000 and 10 years in prison.

DH jailed 16 months for money laundering, 2 others await sentence

 

File photo from HK Monetary Authority

A domestic helper became the latest Filipina to be jailed for money laundering after she pleaded guilty at West Kowloon court Friday (Dec. 13).

Alma Natano, 36 years old, was jailed for 16 months after she admitted to dealing with a total of  $1,272,079.08 that flowed in and out of her Bank of China account from March 29 to April 18, 2021.

The offence violates the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance which imposes a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail and a $5 million fine. 

On Thursday, a District Court judge divulged that the Court of Appeals has recently adopted sentencing guidelines that raised the jail term for people found guilty of money laundering, due to the rising prevalence of the offence.

Two other DHs also pleaded guilty Friday at Kwun Tong Court and were detained until their sentencing which was put off pending a background review. 

Separately, the trial of another Filipina who pleaded not guilty at Eastern Court ended on the same day, with the verdict scheduled for Jan. 21 next year. 

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheng Lim-chi imposed a starting point of 24 months' jail on Natano, but gave her one-third discount for her guilty plea. 

In  Kwun Tong court,  Acting Principal Magistrate Leung Ka-kie put off the sentencing of Katrina Zafra and Antoneth Libaten to Dec. 27 for a background review.

“I need to get information on your background first,” Magistrate Leung said. 

The two Filipinas claimed they had lent their ATM cards to friends who asked for help, In mitigation, their long-time employers sent letters to the court, praising them for their honesty and diligence.

PINDUTIN DITO

Zafra and Libaten were detained in the meantime, along with Indonesian DH Sugiarti. Their bank accounts were found to have been used in dealing with money obtained from the same victim in a scam.

Their Chinese co-defendant Lui Shu-wa, was freed on $5,000 bail while her case was adjourned to Feb. 14 next year for further legal advice.

According to the information read out in court, Zafra, 40 years old, handled $539,294.72 through her Hang Seng Bank account, after she lent her ATM card to a certain Estella Corpus. Zafra was said to have been helped in the transaction by a certain Valentin Sunday.

In mitigation, her lawyer said Zafra has worked for the same employer since she arrived in Hong Kong in 2013, taking care of an elderly couple, 79 and 68 years old, and a dog. 

Her employer asked the court to be lenient to her, and vowed to ask the Immigration Department for authority to resume her employment after her release from prison.

Basahin ang detalye!

Libaten, 44 years old, handled $1,023,500 through deposits and withdrawals in her HSBC account from 8^th to 15^th of June 2021. She lent her ATM card to Sunday, who said he needed it to remit money to his family.

“She was only helping out,” her lawyer said to describe Libaten, who arrived in Hong Kong in 2009 and had been with one employer for 12 years before she was terminated because of this case.

Over at Eastern Court, Marjorie Tayaoa, 44 years old, went through trial after she pleaded not guilty to handling a total of 1,136, 868.02 using her Mox Bank account from July 20 to Aug. 1, 2023.

She was remanded in jail until Deputy Magistrate Paul Yip hands down his verdict on Jan. 21.