Hong Kong police arrest two drivers in undercover crackdown on cross-border illegal taxi services
Hong Kong police arrested two drivers in an undercover operation targeting illegal cross-border taxi services advertised on social media. Officers posing as passengers booked trips to Shenzhen, paying fees of HK$950 and HK$1,050 before arresting the drivers for carrying passengers for reward without
Hong Kong police have arrested two drivers in an undercover operation against cross-border illegal taxi services, known as “white plate” cars. A 33-year-old local driver and a 27-year-old mainland Chinese driver holding a two-way permit were detained on 27 October, according to Senior Inspector Sze Sze-ho of the港島總區交通部執行及管制組特遣隊 (Hong Kong Island Regional Traffic Division Enforcement and Control Group Taskforce).
Police said intermediaries for the illegal services used various social media platforms to recruit passengers, offering luxury seven-seater vehicles to travel from Hong Kong to cities in mainland China via land border checkpoints. Officers posed as passengers and contacted two social media accounts requesting trips to Shenzhen. The accounts quoted prices of HK$950 and HK$1,050 respectively, requiring the full fare to be deposited into designated e-wallets before departure.
After the fares were deposited, officers boarded two Hong Kong-registered luxury seven-seater vehicles bearing cross-border number plates on the day of the operation. Once the journeys began, police revealed their identities and arrested both drivers. The local driver was suspected of carrying passengers for reward without a licence and driving without third-party insurance. The mainland driver was additionally suspected of breaching his stay conditions. Both remain in custody for investigation, and police did not rule out further arrests. The two vehicles were seized for examination.
Police reminded the public to use only licensed public transport and not to take vehicles operating illegally for reward. They warned that third-party insurance could be invalidated if a vehicle is used for illegal hire, leaving passengers and other road users unprotected in the event of an accident. Drivers were urged not to engage in illegal hire or reward-carrying activities. A first conviction carries a fine of up to HK$10,000 and six months in jail, while a second conviction can result in a fine of HK$25,000 and up to one year’s imprisonment. Convicted drivers face disqualification from driving for a minimum of 12 months and up to three years, and their vehicle licences may be revoked.
Police added that if the vehicles involved are cross-border vehicles, the Transport Department will revoke their通行許可證 (cross-border permits). Where mainland Chinese drivers are involved, police will investigate whether they are engaged in illegal employment or have breached other laws, including stay conditions. Sufficient evidence would lead to prosecution. Police noted that mainland law enforcement authorities strictly regulate vehicle operations and hire-for-reward activities. Drivers operating illegally on the mainland would also face investigation and prosecution, and police urged all drivers not to take chances or break the law.
