Wuhan ex-official's son convicted in Hong Kong for laundering over HK$64 million

A Hong Kong court has convicted Xiao Rui, the son of a former anti-corruption bureau chief from Wuhan, China, on charges of laundering more than HK$64 million (approximately NT$260 million). Xiao Rui faces a maximum of seven years in prison.

The 37-year-old was also found guilty of using forged bank records to deceive immigration authorities and secure residency through Hong Kong's 2013 investment immigration program. This program required Chinese citizens to hold permanent residency in another foreign country.

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The defendant must have realized that this cash was not clean when receiving such a huge amount of funds of unknown origin.

During the trial, Xiao Rui claimed he was unaware the documents were fake, stating his mother handled all immigration procedures. He also asserted that the funds transferred through underground banks over nine years were either investment money from his mother or proceeds from cryptocurrency sales. He alleged his mother, a former nurse, had become wealthy through investments in her brother's businesses.

However, the District Court rejected Xiao Rui's defense, deeming it far-fetched and illogical. The judge questioned the "bizarre" methods used to handle the money and concluded that Xiao Rui must have known the cash was illicit, given the vast sums involved far exceeded any legitimate earnings. The court found him guilty of four counts of money laundering and one count of using a false instrument. His father, Xiao Jun, is reportedly suspended amid a corruption investigation.

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My mother told me she earned this money through legitimate business activities. I believed that was true.