Hong Kong police freeze HK$30 million in lottery jackpot dispute with colleagues

Hong Kong police have seized HK$30 million from a man's bank account after he allegedly kept a Mark Six lottery jackpot for himself instead of sharing it with colleagues who claim they were part of a pool.

Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming confirmed the freeze on the 36-year-old suspect's funds, saying the Western district crime support team is handling the investigation. The man was arrested on suspicion of theft.

Details of the alleged dispute

The suspect purchased the winning ticket and deposited the full payout into his personal account, but refused to divide the money equally among colleagues, according to sources. Some members of the group worked for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

Chow clarified that the investigation does not have a direct connection to FEHD itself, noting that another person filed the report. The commissioner made the remarks on Saturday.

The case highlights disputes that can arise from informal lottery pools, where groups of colleagues or friends pool money to buy tickets collectively. When one member purchases a winning ticket but refuses to share the proceeds, police can intervene on theft allegations if other participants can demonstrate their stake in the arrangement.

Source: South China Morning Post