Police Sting Nets Two Cross-Border Illegal Hire Drivers
HK01 · 7 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Island traffic police said they uncovered social media accounts promoting cross-border illegal hire services using luxury seven-seater private cars to carry passengers from Hong Kong through land checkpoints to mainland cities. After posing as passengers and paying fares of HK$950 and HK$1,050 into designated e-wallets, officers boarded two locally registered vehicles with Hong Kong-mainland plates on October 27 and arrested the drivers after the journeys began. The two arrested men were a 33-year-old local driver and a 27-year-old mainland driver holding a two-way permit; both were suspected of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward and driving without third-party insurance, while the mainland suspect was also held over an alleged breach of conditions of stay. Police said the two vehicles were seized for examination and further arrests were possible.
Key Points
- Chief Inspector Yim Sze-ho of the Hong Kong Island Regional Traffic Branch said officers found intermediaries soliciting passengers on different social platforms for direct road trips to mainland cities.
- Undercover officers asked two platform accounts for transport to Shenzhen and were quoted HK$950 and HK$1,050, with full prepayment required through designated e-wallets.
- Police then boarded two locally registered luxury seven-seaters carrying dual Hong Kong-mainland plates in Hong Kong on October 27 before revealing their identities and making arrests.
- The 33-year-old local man was released on bail pending further inquiries and must report to police in late November, while the 27-year-old mainland man was detained.
- Police said the mainland suspect was due to appear at Eastern Magistrates' Courts on October 28, and the Transport Department could revoke permits for cross-border vehicles involved.
Why It Matters
For passengers, the immediate risk is that a private car used illegally for paid carriage may no longer be covered by valid third-party insurance, leaving riders and other road users exposed if a crash happens. For cross-border transport, the case adds to official scrutiny of private cars allegedly taking advantage of heavy demand for late-night trips to Shenzhen and other mainland destinations.