Fifteen nabbed for insurance license cheating scheme

Policing authorities have apprehended 15 individuals in relation to a scheme involving licensed insurance agents allegedly assisting candidates in cheating to secure professional certifications. The Commercial Crime Bureau initiated an investigation in January after receiving a referral from the Insurance Authority, which had received complaints in October about an education institution allegedly aiding examinees in cheating on tests for the Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI) designation – a globally recognized professional credential.

During a raid on Thursday, officers stormed an examination center in Kwun Tong, arresting six men and nine women aged between 22 and 70, suspected of conspiracy to defraud. Police believe 11 of the suspects, comprising five men and six women, constituted the core of the syndicate, with three currently working as insurance agents, three having been former practitioners, and four serving as exam candidates.

Inspector Wong King-sai revealed that the syndicate enticed clients by offering a comprehensive service that included exam registration, preparation courses, and cheating. Candidates were required to pay an additional HK$14,000 on top of the official exam fee. During the tests, syndicate members served as invigilators and pre-installed remote-control software on candidates' computers, while another computer backstage manipulated their screens to provide the answers.

Inspector Wong further explained that after answering the questions, the invigilators instructed candidates to remain seated and feign continued work, only revealing to submit their answers after a reasonable period had elapsed, thereby creating the appearance of a genuine examination. Maria Tsui, Head of Enforcement at the Insurance Authority, announced that the regulator will immediately suspend the recognition of the FLMI qualification and conduct a review of individuals who previously earned the credential through the implicated examination center.

She highlighted that approximately 250 people have obtained insurance licenses using the FLMI designation since 2024, out of the over 120,000 licensed insurance agents operating in the city.