SWD and Police Launch Investigation into $14 Million TAVA Fraud, Arresting 275 Individuals

Joint investigation conducted by SWD and Police to combat fraud cases involving Traffic Accident Victims Assistance

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (November 6) announced a joint investigation with the Police to combat fraud cases involving Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA). A total of 275 people have been arrested so far.

The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Section of the SWD, while processing TAVA applications in March this year, detected suspicious elements in the medical certificates submitted by some applicants. Upon an investigation conducted by the SWD, it was revealed that the applicants concerned had not sought any medical treatment from the private medical institutions/clinics which allegedly issued the relevant medical certificates. The SWD immediately contacted the Police, referred the cases suspected of using false medical certificates for the Police's investigation, and ceased processing the relevant applications. The SWD will continue to assist the Police investigation and recover all the overpaid assistance payments from the relevant applicants, with the total amount being around $14 million.

The SWD emphasised that it is a criminal offence to provide false information to obtain TAVA payments. Offenders may be prosecuted under the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210) and be liable on conviction to imprisonment of a maximum of 14 years. Should any fraudulent element be detected in any application, the SWD will show no tolerance or leniency and make referrals to the enforcement agencies for investigation. The joint investigation was prompted by suspicious applications found by the SWD during the vetting of applications, upon which the fraud cases were discovered. Members of the public are urged not todefy the law. The SWD will continue to verify the information submitted for TAVA applications in a stringent manner to ensure the proper use of public funds.

The TAVA Scheme is a social welfare initiative administered by the SWD to provide financial assistance to road traffic accident victims or the surviving dependents of deceased traffic accident victims. An applicant must meet relevant conditions in order to be eligible for an assistance payment, including: (1) the accident must have been reported to the Police and determined by the Police as a road traffic accident; and (2) the victim is injured or killed in the accident. In case of injury, the injured victim must be certified by a registered doctor that such injury requires hospitalisation of no less than three days or is issued with proof of sick leave for no less than three days.

Families and schools work together to combat "space oil"

The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau met with representatives from the Committee on Home-School Co-operation (CHSC) and the district Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations (FPTAs) yesterday (November 6) to discuss different ways to prevent the emerging drug "space oil" from harming Hong Kong's young people.

During the meeting, representatives from the FPTAs were updated on the latest situation covering the harm of "space oil", including its relationship with e-cigarettes. The ND introduced to the representatives the anti-drug preventive education and publicity (PE&P) programmes in schools, adding that it looked forward to more secondary schools participating in the Healthy School Programme with a Drug Testing Component. The representatives in attendance welcomed more anti‑drug PE&P programmes targeting schools and parents to be carried out by the ND and organisations concerned to raise awareness of and vigilance against "space oil" and other drugs.

The ND also briefed attendees on the prevailing statutory control on etomidate, the main ingredient of "space oil", as well as the Government's proposed legislative amendments for stricter control on the substance. Representatives from the district FPTAs expressed support for the Government's prompt action to list etomidate as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134) to raise the maximum penalty and deterrence.

The ND urges parents to remain vigilant and pay more attention to their children. Possession of any type of alternative smoking product by children, along with unexplained bruises on their limbs, could be a sign of taking "space oil". Parents who need to seek help can send a message to 98 186 186 through the instant messaging platforms of WhatsApp and WeChat, or call the 24-hour hotline 186 186, to obtain information or seek assistance from social workers.

The ND's website (www.nd.gov.hk) contains information about "space oil", and the ND also launched a "space oil" themed animated video in August (www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHQVLgU3wAA). Members of the public are welcome to browse the website. In addition, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre, including the new "space oil" corner therein, located on the roof floor of the Low Block of the Queensway Government Offices, provides various forms of anti-drug knowledge and is open to the public.