Hong Kong travel agency bosses arrested for travel incentive scheme fraud

Thursday, 25 Apr, 2021 0

Nineteen people, including more than a dozen directors of travel agencies, are facing charges for allegedly defrauding nearly HK$3 million from Hong Kong’s subsidised travel scheme.

They were arrested on suspicion of forging receipts to claim fees from the Green Lifestyle Local Tour Incentive Scheme.

The scheme was jointly organised by the government and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong.

Suspects include 14 directors and five staff members of 15 travel agencies.

Crime squad chief inspector Lo Yin-lam said the fraud was uncovered when the Travel Industry Council audited applications for funds made by the agencies.

Bogus receipts were sent in for tours that didn’t take place.

"They include those from restaurants, coach services and travel insurance, which the travel agencies used to apply for funds without holding any tours," he said.

"Some were made from genuine receipts, with its original information altered," he said.

Police said investigations continue and more arrests may be possible.

Under the scheme a travel agency could be granted up a total of HK$200,000 based on the number of tours conducted and the number of tour participants.

below social share icons

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

The Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is responsible for planning, organising, financing and delivering the...

Destination British Columbia (Destination BC) is a Provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s...

At Visit California, our mission is to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry...

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels...

Located in the heart of the Northeast and within easy driving distance of a third of the population of the...

In 2024, The Red Sea will be ready to welcome 300,000 guests in line with the completion of 16 hotels...

We understand the importance of personal touch We do things a bit differently at Eventsquid. We know that we could...

The superpower in bed banks for 30 years We are an award-winning and trusted accommodation wholesaler since 1991. We are...

Our Mission Ecommerce has transformative powers, and we believe everyone should be able to take part. But outdated solutions and...

Palladium Hotel Group is a renowned Spanish hotel chain that first emerged towards the end of the 1960s. Currently present...

We are the UK’s leading Canada travel experts Canadian Affair Company Information Founded in 1995, Canadian Affair offers an...

Welcome to Qatar Airways Qatar Airways is proud to be one of the youngest global airlines to serve all...

Hilton is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in...

This is Jersey. An island shaped by the sea where some of the most astonishing tides in the world circle...

Consisting of the three Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island as well as Newfoundland and...

ECOMMPAY is an international payment service provider and direct bank card acquirer, engineering bespoke payment solutions for clients worldwide. Our...