Hong Kong police officer loses appeal over 6½-year term for HK$26m mortgage fraud

The Hong Kong Court of Appeal has upheld the 6½-year jail sentence for a senior police officer, Superintendent Harbour Chan Hoi-kong, who was convicted of fraudulently securing mortgages worth over HK$26 million (US$3.31 million) by hiding his police affiliation. The court found that Chan knowingly submitted false claims in mortgage applications, stating that he was the general manager of a food trading company founded by his former colleague.

Additionally, Chief Inspector Wong Ho-ngai had his five-year sentence for a similar offence rejected by the appellate court. Both officers were known for their active presence on Chinese social media platform Weibo, where they defended police actions during the 2019 protests. Chan was earning around HK$150,000 per month from the police force, just below the minimum requirements for mortgage applications at banks and credit firms.

In false applications submitted in July and November 2019, Chan claimed he earned over HK$240,000 monthly from Commander Capital, a company run by his friend Wong. The Court of Appeal dismissed the legal argument that other people could have forged Chan's signature, ruling that he must have taken part in the fraud. The court also found that Wong knowingly provided false salary receipts to support Chan's claims.

The fraud charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, with the District Court imposing 7-year maximum sentences.