How estate agents can help combat crime

The Hong Kong Police Force has approached the Estate Agents Authority and requested the assistance of estate agency practitioners to combat street deception. In the first half of 2005, some 231 cases were reported with a total loss of HK$14.3 million, according to police.

The majority of those arrested have been Mainland women visitors in their forties holding two-way permits (although men are often involved behind the scenes). While they did not disclose where they were staying to protect accomplices, police investigations have revealed they often rented relatively cheap residential flats in areas such as Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan, with the help of Hong Kong residents.

To assist the police, estate agency practitioners are encouraged to report any suspicious behaviour by two-way permit-holders or PRC passport-holders renting residential flats from them. For example, if estate agents overhear conversations that lead them to suspect a crime is going to be committed, they are encouraged to report the details to the police. Practitioners concerned about the privacy issue may wish to note that Section 58 (1) & (2) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance provides exemption in relation to prevention and detection of crime.

Information may be passed to the:
Police Hotline
Tel: 2860 5012 or 2860 5013
Commercial Crime Bureau
Fax : 2529 8037
Email : cip-int-d-div-ccb@police.gov.hk or ip-sip-int-e-d-div-ccb@police.gov.hk

The identity of estate agents will be kept in strict confidence.