A man has been arrested for allegedly defrauding an education consultant out of nearly HK$3 million (US$382,500) by claiming he could secure dozens of places at a Hong Kong school, the South China Morning Post has learned.
A police source said on Monday that the suspect, a 51-year-old Hongkonger who claimed to be a businessman, had signed a contract with a 45-year-old woman working as an education consultant on March 1, 2024, claiming he could provide dozens of places at a “Kiangsu-Chekiang College”.
Believing the claims, the consultant transferred about HK$2.84 million in 23 instalments between April and July 2024 to the man’s mainland Chinese bank account, covering application fees for 37 students, the source added.
He had allegedly promised access to 50 secondary school places at the college, assuring her that her students would also have guaranteed entry into universities in Hong Kong or Macau regardless of their Diploma of Secondary Education results.
But the source said none of the students received admission offers from the school or any higher education institutions. He subsequently cut off contact, prompting the woman to file a police report in May this year.
Investigators intercepted him at Hong Kong International Airport on July 29 this year as he attempted to leave the city. He was arrested on suspicion of fraud.
There are three secondary schools and one primary school carrying the “Kiangsu‑Chekiang” name in Hong Kong. The three secondary schools are located in Sha Tin, Kwai Chung and North Point.
The one in North Point, Kiangsu-Chekiang College, is a direct subsidy scheme school popular among mainland parents.
The primary school, the Kiangsu and Chekiang Primary School, is also in North Point.
Kiangsu-Chekiang College in North Point is a direct subsidy scheme school popular among mainland parents. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
