FDH charged in $600,000 money laundering case

Bank of China

A 48-year-old Filipino domestic worker in Tung Chung is in hot water after she allegedly got involved in a money laundering scam involving funds worth more than $600,000.

Jeanette C.R., of Ying Hong Street, Tung Chung, Lantau was arrested after the police found suspicious funds worth a total of $677,331.04 in her two accounts with the Bank of China and the Hang Seng Bank.

“Naiintindihan ko po,” Jeanette said from behind bars after the two charges against her were read at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on January 16.

She was accused of “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence.”

The penalty for this offense ranges from a fine of $500,000 to $5 million and imprisonment from three to 14 years.

The prosecution said that, between April 27, 2017 and June 15, 2018, the domestic worker dealt with the laundered funds worth $551,530.34 that were found in her Hang Seng Bank account.

And then from March 15, 2018 to April 26, 2018, Jeanette allegedly dealt with laundered funds worth $125,800.7 in her Bank of China account.

The domestic worker’s lawyer asked Eastern Principal Magistrate Peter Law that she be allowed to post bail and the case be adjourned to February 20 so that they could prepare their documentary evidence. However, the prosecution opposed granting her bail.

“The charges against her are serious. The total amount involved is over $600,000,” the prosecutor said, adding that the helper made an “admission” during her interview with police investigators.

The prosecutor also said that Jeanette’s employer was going to testify in the case and her contract will end on June 18.

Judge Law refused Jeanette’s bail application but added that she could appeal and ask for bail from the High Court in Admiralty.

“Bail is refused because of the serious nature of the allegations and the strong evidence against you,” he said.

Judge Law adjourned the case to February 20 with Jeanette remaining in jail until the next hearing or until she is allowed to post bail.