Hong Kong triad leader ‘Shanghai Boy’ Kwok Wing-hung faces HK$50 million debt claim from casino cruise company

Writ filed at High Court orders notorious figure to repay full sum borrowed from Star Cruises Services Limited by March 28 or face further legal action

PUBLISHED : Friday, 16 March, 2018

A writ of summons was filed against Kwok on Thursday this week at the High Court by New Reward Holdings Limited, which is understood to be an offshore company registered in the British Virgin Islands.

According to the writ, Kwok borrowed HK$46,676,370 (US$6 million) from Star Cruise Services Limited in October 2015.

Star Cruise Services transferred the debt to New Reward Holdings in November 2016.

Who is Hong Kong’s alleged triad leader ‘Shanghai Boy’ Kwok Wing-hung?

Star Cruises Services is owned by Genting Hong Kong, a publicly listed company that manages several cruise lines including Star Cruises, which runs six ships with gaming facilities.

The document states that Kwok has to pay the debt and interest of 6 per cent per year – a total of about HK$50.3 million, as well as the HK$10,045 cost of the lawsuit.

The writ states that Kwok has to settle his debt within 14 days, or before March 28, or he could face further legal action.

“If you fail to satisfy the claim … within the time stated … the plaintiff may proceed with the action and judgment may be entered against you forthwith without further notice,” it states.

The writ was addressed to Kwok’s properties in Repulse Bay and Jardine’s Lookout.

Kwok, 59, is the alleged former leader of the Wo Shing Wo triad.

The businessman became a figure of public interest in March 2012 when he was seen attending a private banquet with then chief executive election candidate Leung Chun-ying’s campaign officers in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long.

Rural leaders including Gary Hau Chi-keung were also sighted and the meeting raised suspicions over the relationship between Leung and the triads.

In November last year, Kwok was arrested by police officers from the Narcotics Bureau at his Repulse Bay flat on suspicion of laundering HK$100 million.

He was accused of laundering money using local bank accounts between 2007 and 2012, and released on bail after spending a day in custody.

Kwok was also arrested for blackmail in July 2016 after flying into the city via a flight from Phuket.