Fifteen nabbed for insurance license cheating scheme
Police have arrested 15 people in connection with a scheme where licensed insurance agents allegedly helped candidates cheat in order to obtain professional qualifications. The Commercial Crime Bureau launched an investigation in January following a referral from the Insurance Authority. The regulator had received complaints last October alleging that an education institution was helping…
Fifteen individuals have been apprehended in connection with a fraudulent scheme involving insurance license acquisition. The Commercial Crime Bureau initiated an investigation in January, responding to complaints from the Insurance Authority. The regulator had received reports in October alleging that an education institution was assisting examinees in cheating during the Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI) designation tests – a globally recognized industry credential.
During a raid on Thursday at a Kwun Tong examination center, officers arrested six men and nine women aged between 22 and 70, suspected of conspiracy to defraud. Police believe that 11 of the suspects, comprising five men and six women, constituted the core of the syndicate. Three of the suspects are current insurance agents, while three others are former practitioners, and four are exam candidates.
Inspector Wong King-sai explained that the syndicate enticed clients by offering comprehensive services, including exam registration, preparation courses, and cheating facilitation. In addition to the official exam fee, each candidate paid the syndicate an extra HK$14,000.
On test days, syndicate members acted as invigilators, pre-installing remote-control software on candidates' computers, while another computer monitored the screens and provided answers. After answering, the invigilators instructed candidates to remain seated and feign continued work on their exams, only revealing the need to submit answers after a reasonable period.
This created the appearance of a legitimate exam, according to Inspector Wong. Maria Tsui, Head of Enforcement at the Insurance Authority, announced that the regulator will immediately suspend the recognition of the FLMI qualification and initiate a review of individuals who previously earned the credential through the implicated examination center.
She noted that approximately 250 people have obtained insurance licenses using the FLMI designation since 2024, out of over 120,000 licensed insurance agents citywide.
Written by urgent.news from RTHK News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Fifteen nabbed for insurance license cheating scheme news.rthk.hk
