THE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU
Hong Kong Police investigations into serious and complex commercial crime.
The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) is a specialist bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force responsible for investigating serious and complex commercial and financial crime, together with the counterfeiting or forgery of currency, coinage, payment cards, commercial instruments, travel documents and identity documents. Police materials also refer to computer crime within its remit, although specialist cyber responsibilities now principally sit with CSTCB.
CCB is based at Hong Kong Police Headquarters at 1 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai. It operates at the frontline of enforcement against financially motivated and frequently non-violent offending commonly described as white-collar crime. Suspects and affected organisations may include companies, directors, officers, employees, public officials, professionals and other individuals.
Modern financial systems, electronic communications and international corporate structures mean that a CCB investigation may extend across several jurisdictions. It can involve extensive banking and digital evidence, parallel regulatory or enforcement enquiries and formal overseas evidence-gathering procedures.
STRUCTURAL DIVISIONS AND PRIMARY FUNCTIONS
Scope of CCB's investigations
Fraud investigation
CCB investigates serious and complex commercial and financial crime. Its work may include corporate misconduct, fraud involving listed or public companies, embezzlement, pyramid and investment schemes, syndicated deception and substantial consumer fraud.
Counterfeit and forgery work
The Bureau investigates the production, possession and distribution of counterfeit Hong Kong and foreign currency, false coinage, forged payment and credit cards, commercial or negotiable instruments, and forged travel and identity documents. Its Counterfeit and Forgery Section has also worked with financial institutions, card issuers and retailers against transnational payment-card syndicates.
Cyber and computer crime
Technology crime was historically handled by the Technology Crime Division within CCB. In response to increasingly sophisticated cyber offending and threats to computer systems, that division was upgraded into the standalone Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) on 1 January 2015. CCB may still encounter computer and digital evidence in commercial investigations, while CSTCB has primary responsibility for cyber security and the prevention and detection of technology crime.
Visit the CSTCB page ↗WHITE-COLLAR CRIME
Financially motivated committed for unlawful economic gain
“White-collar crime” is a practical description rather than a single statutory offence. It commonly refers to financially motivated, non-violent offending committed through a business, professional, corporate or governmental role. The label does not determine the charge: the prosecution must identify and prove the elements of a specific offence.
Corporate fraud
Dishonest schemes involving companies, shareholders, creditors, customers or public markets.
Bribery and corruption
Improper advantages involving commercial or public functions, commonly investigated under specialised anti-corruption legislation. This type of case is handled by the ICAC.
Please see our ICAC page for more information ↗Insider dealing and market misconduct
Trading or other conduct involving non-public information, false markets or improper market activity. This type of case is handled by the SFC.
Please see our SFC page for more details ↗Embezzlement and theft
Dishonest appropriation or misuse of company, client or entrusted assets.
Cybercrime
Technology-enabled offending, unauthorised access, online deception and the use of compromised systems.
Please see our CSTCB page for more details ↗Money laundering
Dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence.
Please see our Money Laundering page for more information ↗Forgery
False instruments, payment cards, currency, identity documents and associated records.
MCS WHITE-COLLAR EXPERIENCE
Experienced representation in complex commercial investigations.
MCS partners Anita Chow, Christopher Morley and Eric Seto have extensive experience in white-collar crime cases. The firm's historical professional materials record that Ms Chow and Mr Morley have received recognition as leading Hong Kong practitioners in white-collar crime, including recognition by Legal Media Group's Guide to the World's Leading White Collar Crime Lawyers from 2008.
Our partners advise and represent corporations, directors, senior management, employees, professionals and other individuals alleged to be involved in white-collar crime in Hong Kong. Their work includes Police, CCB, ICAC, SFC and other regulatory or enforcement investigations, as well as related criminal proceedings.
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