 |
| Gumabay, who is out on bail, has been charged in Kowloon City Court |
A Filipina domestic worker has indicated she is ready to
enter a plea to a money laundering case involving nearly $1.6 million in cash
which was deposited into her two bank accounts, when she appeared in Kowloon
City court today, Apr. 20.
Estrellita P. Gumabay, who is out on bail, faces two charges
of conspiring to deal with property believed or known to be proceeds from a
crime.
Magistrate Siu Suk-yu adjourned the case until Jun 1 to
allow the prosecution to prepare documents and seek further legal advice. Siu
extended Gumabay’s bail.
The prosecution said Gumabay conspired with a certain William
between Sept 3, 2018 and May 20 last year to receive a total of $485,450.53 in cash
deposits in her Hang Seng Bank account.
Gumabay also received cash deposits totaling $1,104, 537.38
in her HSBC account between Sept 3, 2018 and Jan 18 last year. All the deposits
also came from William.
The two banks reportedly alerted the Hong Kong Monetary
Authority about the transfer of the huge sums to the domestic helper’s
accounts, which led to her arrest.
But no mention was made of when she was arrested, and whether
William has been found, or nabbed.
The HKMA supervises efforts to combat money laundering in
Hong Kong. The practice is resorted to by crime syndicates or terrorists to
disguise funds obtained from illegal activities including drug trafficking,
corruption, tax evasion and fraud.
