A 25-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of dishonest use of a computer after allegedly asking for donations on Facebook whilst falsely claiming a relative had died in a bus crash.
19 people were killed and 60 injured in a tragic double-decker crash in Tai Po last Saturday. Flags flew at half-mast on Tuesday, and government officials observed a moment of mourning for the victims. The Chinese New Year fireworks display scheduled for this Saturday has also been cancelled.
The woman, surnamed Cheung, is a web designer and was arrested by Mong Kok officers on Tuesday. Two mobile phones, a tablet computer and a laptop were taken from the scene.
The post, shared in a Facebook group, urged the social media users to “spare a little” to help the family of her sister-in-law, as they have “lost their breadwinner and left behind ten-month old twins.”
The post also said that the incident had been a blow to the widow and offered thanks to those who could offer assistance. The woman then left two HSBC and Bank of China bank account numbers.
Chief Inspector Swalikh Mohammed said the police received at least five reports, none of whom transferred money to the relevant accounts. It is unclear whether others had donated, Ming Pao reported.
As of Tuesday evening, 32 are still hospitalised over the crash, with five in critical condition and five others in serious condition.
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