Seven influencers arrested for promoting illegal online gambling
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Seven influencers have been arrested by police for promoting illegal online gambling on social media within the week, police said on Monday.
According to sources, one of the suspects is 28-year-old actress Bui Yee-lam, also known as Chantale Belle. She previously starred in now-emigrated Hong Kong actor Chapman To Man-chak’s podcast.
A police spokeswoman said the seven suspects, aged between 20 to 30, were arrested between November 21 to 27 across the city for promoting or facilitating bookmaking and betting with a bookmaker.
Some of the suspects allegedly advertised the illegal online gambling sites using their own social media accounts, the spokeswoman said.
Officers seized seven mobile phones, one tablet and one laptop during the operation.
Meanwhile, one of the suspects was also arrested for “possession of Part 1 poisons” after officers found 67 suspected nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes during the search.
All suspects were released on police bail and has to report to police in mid-December.
In Hong Kong, illegal bookmaking is punishable by up to seven years in jail and a HK$5 million fine, while placing bets with an illegal bookmaker carries a maximum penalty of nine months in prison and a HK$50,000 fine.
