Migrant care workers seek Hong Kong help with wages frozen over mainland money-laundering probe

A group of care workers from mainland China has appealed to Hong Kong authorities to help get back HK$1 million (US$128,270) frozen by cross-border law enforcement on suspicion of money laundering in connection with two city currency exchange shops.

Members of the Imported Care Worker Mutual Aid Group for Rights Protection on Friday said they had seen a surge of cases in the past two months, involving 19 workers who fell victim to suspected money laundering which is under investigation on the mainland.

Four victims told the Post that they received calls from law enforcement officials in China, who warned the transactions had been frozen and not transferred to their relatives’ accounts.

A woman nicknamed “Ah Lai”, who has worked in a city care home for 13 years, said she felt “helpless” after Hong Kong Customs, in charge of oversight of currency exchange shops, turned her away and asked her to pursue legal action against the owner of the now-closed store.

The 53-year-old said the force declined to proceed with her complaint on the grounds it was outside their jurisdiction as mainland authorities were involved.

“I worked hard in Hong Kong to earn money,” she said. “Now I do not know where to go or who I can seek help from – I only want my hard-earned money back.”