Most of the time, activities of expats are being well-guarded by authorities, particularly immigration officials in foreign countries. This has been the case for one of our kababayan in Hong Kong who had been charged of money laundering by authorities after a suspicious transaction was noted in his bank account.
Such cases are not entirely unheard of, especially when the involved parties are found to have been working for (oftentimes international) syndicates for illegal businesses transacted overseas.
Pinoy who was Acquitted for Money Laundering in Hong Kong, Flies Back Home Immediately
The Filipino who was initially charged of money laundering was allegedly a businessman, and was identified as Armando Seguis. The case had been filed against him for an allegedly suspicious transaction in his bank account, as shared in a report by the Sun Web HK.
However, after the prosecution withdrew the charges against Seguis last November 30, he was released from Lai Chi Kok Detention Centre where he was held in custody since his arrest in September. He was immediately escorted by authorities to the Hong Kong International Airport for his flight home on the same evening of his release.
The charges were based on Seguis’ bank account activity back in September when a huge amount of money was allegedly transferred in his local bank account, and was then withdrawn on the same day.
He was then indicted with one count of “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence”, also known as money laundering.
The prosecutor had not released any statement as per the reason for withdrawing the charges.
Magistrate Daniel Tang had called for Seguis’ release after charges have been dropped by prosecution. Moreover, as soon as Seguis obtained a clearance from court and the Correctional Services Department on that same day, Seguis took a flight back to Manila.