The Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force raided a law firm in Mong Kok on the evening of February 9th, deploying a large number of police force and seizing a significant amount of physical evidence. Allegedly, the raided law firm was involved in a new type of "crash for cash" scam that has recently garnered widespread attention.
The Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force raided a law firm in Mong Kok on the evening of February 9th, deploying a large number of police force and seizing a significant amount of physical evidence. Photo by Bastille Post
The Police previously stated that the new type of "crash for cash" scam involves drivers who encounter traffic accidents or violations. After a period of time, usually after the driver has been convicted of the violation, he or she would be claimed for damage compensation. The claimant would present documents from a law firm and the doctor's injury reports, demanding compensation from the driver. The highest amount of claimed compensation once reached over HKD$300,000.
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The Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force raided a law firm in Mong Kok on the evening of February 9th, deploying a large number of police force and seizing a significant amount of physical evidence. Photo by Bastille Post
The raided law firm, Photo by Bastille Post
The raided law firm, Photo by Bastille Post
The raided law firm, Photo by Bastille Post
The raided law firm, Photo by Bastille Post
The Police stated that the Commercial Crime Bureau is currently investigating over 100 suspicious cases, many of which involve the same lawyers and doctors, leading the Police to suspect a coordinated scam.
Photo by Bastille Post
The Police have previously arrested three men and one woman suspected to be in connection with the scam, including a 37-year-old couple claiming to be a taxi driver and nurse, and two doctors aged 56 and 69 respectively. All have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Photo by Bastille Post
TORONTO (AP) — Seven Toronto police officers and one retired officer have been arrested and charged in an organized crime investigation involving bribery, conspiracy to commit murder and drug trafficking, authorities said Thursday.
Police officials at a news conference said the officers had collected personal and private information unlawfully and distributed it to organized crime figures, in some cases for bribes, and that mobsters then carried out shootings and other violent crimes.
“This is a painful and unsettling moment,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said. “When organized crime penetrates the Toronto Police Service, the harm goes far beyond the immediate wrongdoing.”
York Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan said the investigation began in June when police uncovered a murder plot involving a corrections management employee who was being targeted by mobsters. He said the suspects had passed information to the mobsters about the employee.
Several suspected mobsters went to the corrections manager's home for the purpose of murdering him, but encountered a separate contingent of police officers who were protecting the employee and who arrested the suspected mobsters after they rammed a police car, Hogan said.
Hogan said it was the third time within 36 hours that suspects had gone to the home, and the incident sparked the investigation that revealed Toronto officers had accessed personal information and leaked it to members of an organized crime group.
Investigators allege that Toronto police Const. Timothy Barnhardt gave personal information to Brian Da Costa, a man suspected of several drug trafficking and bribery offences who was among several suspects allegedly seeking confidential information from officers.
“We allege that Mr. Da Costa is a key figure in a criminal network operating within the Greater Toronto Area, with in fact significant international ties,” Hogan said.
Toronto police officers Derek McCormick, Elias Mouawad, John Madeley Jr. and his father, retired constable John Madeley Sr., are among those charged in the investigation.
Toronto police officers Barnhardt, Robert Black, Saurabjit Bedi and Carl Grellette were also charged, and were allegedly involved in bribery schemes orchestrated by Da Costa, Hogan said.
“We allege that these officers in particular were involved with Mr. Da Costa in supporting illegal cannabis dispensaries by accepting bribes to provide, ultimately, protection from law enforcement investigation,” he said, adding some of the accused officers were also allegedly involved in cocaine trafficking.
In addition to Da Costa, 18 other suspects were arrested in the investigation, including two youths.
Demkiw said the officers who were suspected of wrongdoing have been suspended and that he's seeking suspension without pay for at least four of them.
York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween said it was a “deeply disappointing and sad day” for police.
“This investigation also underscores the insidious corrosive of organized crime. It highlights how these criminals find a way even the most well protected institutions across our society.”
Clayton Campbell, the president of Toronto's police association, said he was disturbed by the allegations and said legal support for members charged in criminal cases is not guaranteed and is determined on a case-by-case basis.
“In fact, there is nothing our members or the (Toronto Police Association) hate more than a corrupt cop,” Campbell said in a statement.
A statement from the Toronto Police Service Board, which oversees the police, said it has asked the inspector general to look into issues including supervision, recruitment screening, access to databases and more.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said residents of Toronto deserve to know that the police officers they deal with every day can be trusted.
Toronto police service chief Myron Demkiw speaks during a news conference to announce the results of 'Project South,' a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption at York regional police headquarters in Aurora, Ont. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Jon Blacker /The Canadian Press via AP)
York regional police deputy chief Ryan Hogan speaks during a news conference to announce the results of 'Project South,' a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption at York regional police headquarters in Aurora, Ont. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Jon Blacker /The Canadian Press via AP)
York regional police deputy chief Ryan Hogan speaks during a news conference to announce the results of 'Project South,' a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption at York regional police headquarters in Aurora, Ont. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Jon Blacker /The Canadian Press via AP)
York regional police deputy chief Ryan Hogan speaks during a news conference to announce the results of 'Project South,' a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption at York regional police headquarters in Aurora, Ont. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Jon Blacker /The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto police service chief Myron Demkiw, left, is joined by York regional police chief Jim MacSween, center, and YRP deputy chief Ryan Hogan at a news conference to announce the results of 'Project South,' a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption at York Regional police headquarters in Aurora, Ont. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Jon Blacker /The Canadian Press via AP)
