HONG KONG, November 24 — A sophisticated theft ring, suspected to originate from mainland China or Southeast Asia, has allegedly stolen the ashes of several prominent Hong Kong figures, including the late martial arts legend Lau Kar-leung, from a Sha Tin columbarium, demanding hefty ransoms for their return.
The extraordinary case, first reported earlier this year, escalated today after renowned legal figure Mary Jean Reimer (Weng Ching-ching), Lau Kar-leung’s widow, publicly revealed that the perpetrators are demanding US$1 million for the ashes of each victimized ancestor. Speaking on a webcast, Reimer confirmed that the remains of the columbarium’s founder, the late Fung Sing, were also targeted in the audacious crime at Po Fook Hill Ancestral Hall.
Organized Syndicate Targets High-Profile Remains
The thefts, believed to have occurred around mid-year, have been linked to an international syndicate specializing in stealing human remains, according to sources close to the investigation. The initial theft of Lau Kar-leung’s ashes brought the incident to public attention, but Reimer’s recent statements highlight the scale and calculated nature of the operation.
Reimer detailed the unsettling communications she has received from the alleged thieves via a third party. The caller, speaking Mandarin with a suspected Fujian or Hunan accent, allegedly demanded the million-dollar ransom per niche.
“I have unequivocally informed the third party that I will not pay a single cent,” Reimer stated during the online broadcast. She added that the criminals offered to provide video proof of the stolen ashes upon an initial payment of $100,000, threatening to flush the remains down a toilet if the full ransom was not met.
The theft operation demonstrated considerable planning and physical effort. Reimer revealed that two other victims, whose identities were not disclosed, occupied high-level niches covered by large, heavy stone tablets—requiring multiple individuals to move the covers, extract the urns, and meticulously restore the site. This complexity has fueled speculation about possible “inside help” within the Po Fook Hill facility.
Extortion and Alleged Retaliation
The syndicate reportedly spent a year scouting their targets, with operational costs estimated at roughly 500,000 yuan (approximately $70,000). The thieves allegedly told Reimer’s contact that they targeted Lau Kar-leung specifically because they were informed he possessed immense wealth, with estimates ranging up to HK$10 billion.
Reimer’s interactions with the intermediary also shed light on the perpetrators’ cynical advice. She was allegedly encouraged by the caller to sue Po Fook Hill for substantial compensation and then share the proceeds with the thieves—a counsel she quickly dismissed. The constant threats and communications have led Reimer to characterize the ordeal as a probable act of retaliation tied to her previous public criticisms of certain religious groups.
In a stark statement of defiance against the perpetrators, Reimer announced that she does not wish to recover her late husband’s ashes, asserting that even if returned, she would scatter them or release them into the sea, fearing further theft and extortion attempts at the columbarium.
New Charity Initiative Announced
In response to the criminal enterprise, Reimer has chosen a philanthropic path. She plans to sell 15 of her family’s reserved niches at Po Fook Hill for HK$15 million and donate the proceeds entirely to elderly individuals in need, specifically those aged 75 and above. This move reinforces her commitment to not funding the thieves’ operation.
Authorities are reportedly investigating the multi-jurisdictional nature of the crime, with links suggested to Southeast Asia, specifically Cambodia. The case underscores an alarming new trend in organized crime targeting sentimental, high-value assets for extortion. The families of the deceased are left grappling not only with loss but with the trauma of this macabre form of desecration and blackmail.
Leave a Reply