According to the source, police intelligence indicates that a surgical mask producer is accused of defrauding HSBC through the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme.
A Hong Kong businessman named Jason Poon Chuk-hung, along with his wife and four other individuals, have been detained on allegations of deceiving a business funding program to the tune of HK$6 million (US$765,500) during the coronavirus outbreak, according to information obtained by the South China Morning Post.
A source told the SCMP on Thursday that construction entrepreneur Poon, 56, and his wife, aged 54, were among six individuals detained the previous day on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Police intelligence indicated that a surgical mask producer was accused of defrauding HSBC of HK$6 million through the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme, according to an insider.
Are you curious about the most significant issues and developments happening globally? Find the solutions withSCMP Knowledge, our latest platform offering carefully selected content including explainers, FAQs, analyses, and infographics, presented by our acclaimed team.
“We have learned that Poon was a director of the relevant company,” the source stated.
Poon, his wife, and four employees are alleged to have presented false sales data and “enhanced” salary records from April to June 2021 in order to meet the criteria for the program.
The initiative began in 2011, but was expanded to offer a full 100% loan guarantee as part of the 2020-21 fiscal plan to assist companies with their financial challenges caused by salary and rent payments during the pandemic.
The loans were completely backed by the government at a favorable, low-interest rate.
Poon gained widespread recognition in 2019 after revealing the poor handling of the cover-up at the Hung Hom MTR station, which was part of the Sha Tin-Central connection project.
His disclosure led the government to create an independent commission of inquiry to look into the scandal.
The entrepreneur eventually stood as an independent candidate in the 2021 Legislative Council election. He came in last place out of four contenders in the Hong Kong East district.
Regularly expressing opinions on contemporary issues and revealing construction-related scandals since 2019, Poon has faced several legal encounters in recent years, including defamation lawsuits and a bankruptcy petition filed against him last year.
More Articles from SCMP
‘Unyielding’: Takaichi’s discussion with Trump viewed as crucial for China-Japan relations
This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.
Copyright (c) 2026. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
jasdooit 
Leave a comment