Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission has secured court orders to freeze the assets of three individuals accused of insider trading. They include former HKEX listing division staffer Chan Ching-wa and relatives Lam Cho-man and Chau Chi-kwong, who allegedly used non-public information to trade shares between June 2020 and March 2025. The measures involve injunctions in Hong Kong and the UK.
Hong Kong's Court of First Instance has granted a worldwide interim injunction against the trio—former HKEX listing division staffer Chan Ching-wa and his relatives Lam Cho-man and Chau Chi-kwong. They are alleged to have used non-public information to trade shares of at least seven Hong Kong-listed companies for profit or to avoid losses between June 2020 and March 2025.
In parallel, the Securities and Futures Commission obtained an interim injunction from the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales, to freeze the assets of Chan and Chau in the UK. The actions are based on section 213 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance, which enables the commission to seek compensation for victims from those liable for stock market malpractice.
“The UK order obtained by the SFC would ensure that there are assets left to meet any future relief granted by the court, as the three suspects have left Hong Kong and transferred their assets outside Hong Kong,” the SFC said in a statement.
“This legal action underscored the SFC’s determination to hold market wrongdoers accountable for their misconduct, even if they are not in Hong Kong.”
The court orders highlight the SFC's commitment to securing compensation for investors and represent the latest instance of international regulatory collaboration to combat market irregularities and protect investor interests. The individuals face allegations but no further court rulings have been reported.