Cross-boundary fraud and money laundering
In 2001, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) requested Commercial Crime Bureau's (CCB) assistance in respect to the investigation and prosecution of commercial crimes they believed to have been committed by a businessman originally investigated for a corruption offence. They sought, in particular, expertise in 'Letter of Credit' fraud and 'Money Laundering' investigation and prosecution. Chief Inspector Edwin Lam Man-wing, Woman Senior Inspector Connie Yau Sin-man, and four police constables were seconded to ICAC.
A Remarkable Harvest
A joint ICAC-CCB task force was formed, the members of which quickly established a good, friendly and professional working relationship. In all, the task force arrested a total of 39 people during their investigation.
"In due course," said Mr Lam, "eight people were prosecuted in respect to offences related to a $50 billion cross-boundary fraud, money laundering and corruption case.
"This was a truly remarkable harvest stemming from close collaboration between thoroughly professional and efficient staff in the two organisations," he stressed.
Experience & Expertise
OffBeat asked CCB Senior Superintendent Patrick Law Ping-kuen what were the areas of expertise that the ICAC sought from CCB. "First and foremost," he said, "our team of six was led by Chief Inspector Mr Edwin Lam Man-wing who has acquired an almost unique experience and expertise in the specific areas the case appeared to involve."
It is well-known that CCB officers excel in the teamwork approach to handling investigations but where did Mr Lam acquire his much-valued experience and expertise? Mr Lam served with the Narcotics Bureau (NB) between 1989 and 1994, Organised Crime & Triad Bureau (OCTB) from 1994 to 1999 and CCB since then. Significantly, he is also a qualified member of the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers.
In 1989, the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance came into effect and, over the next few years, Mr Lam 'the banker' acquired exceptional experience and expertise in investigating drug trafficking related money laundering operations.
By the time he moved to OCTB in 1994, the Organised & Serious Crimes Ordinance came into effect and the 'Recovery of Proceeds' legislation was extended from drug trafficking to any and all indictable offences.
By 1999, Mr Lam was in CCB and getting thoroughly involved in routine commercial crime cases, but especially in those cases where his particular experience and expertise could be harnessed.
CIP Mr Edwin Lam Man-wing