Pinay grandma arrested in HK for trying to encash fake $388M check

Eastern Magistracy in Sai Wan Ho

A 75-year-old Filipina was arrested after she allegedly tried to encash a fake check worth US$50 million (around HK$388 million or P2.5 billion) at the headquarters of a major Hong Kong bank.

The elderly tourist, with initials M.I.G., was arrested on December 9 at the headquarters of Hang Seng Bank along Des Voeux Road in Central.

She was accompanied by an accountant, a Hong Kong local, who was also arrested but was later released on bail.

The Filipina, who claims to head a charity organization, was charged with “using a false instrument” at the Eastern Magistrates Courts in Sai Wan Ho. The offense carries a penalty of up to 14 years of imprisonment.

She went to the bank with the fake check and two letters that were purportedly signed by top Hang Seng officials.

The defendant on December 22 asked Eastern Magistrate Jason Wan Siu-ming that she be allowed to post bail, claiming that she had a heart ailment.

The Filipina’s camp also offered to post a HK$100,000 bail bond and a surety of HK$50,000. If released temporarily, she promised not to leave Hong Kong and stay with a family friend.

However, Judge Wan denied her bail petition due to the large amount of money involved in the case against her.

The Filipina’s lawyer said she was maintaining her right to appear in court again after eight days to file another bail petition. Judge Wan noted that he would again be the presiding judge at the next hearing.

With her bail petition denied, the defendant was remanded in police custody and spent Christmas in prison.