HONG KONG — Police in Kwun Tong are investigating a significant case of criminal damage after the exterior walls of a major industrial building were extensively defaced with red paint early this morning, a scene that authorities suspect is linked to a private debt dispute. The incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. today at the Texaco Industrial Centre, situated at 4-6 How Ming Street.
Officers responded to reports of extensive vandalism involving red paint, finding large swaths of the building’s facade, particularly the side facing Wai Yip Street, completely covered. Furthermore, investigators discovered shards of broken glass bottles on the ground—believed to have contained the staining agent—suggesting the attack was carried out with force and deliberation.
The case has been classified as criminal damage and passed to the Kwun Tong District Crime Squad for in-depth investigation.
Debt Posters Found Near Scene
Crucially, the scene pointed strongly toward a motive of financial retribution rather than random delinquency. Police recovered several debt collection posters scattered near the vandalized structure. These flyers prominently featured the phrase “Beware of Swindlers” (提防老千) and included a photograph of an unnamed woman.
While police have not officially confirmed the link, the presence of these materials strongly suggests that the widespread vandalism is tied to a personal or business financial conflict, a common tactic used by debt collectors or loan sharks in the region to publicly shame non-payers. No arrests have been made as of press time, and detectives are now working to identify the perpetrators and the individuals involved in the purported debt.
Criminal damage incidents of this nature, often involving corrosive fluids or bright paint, are generally treated seriously by Hong Kong authorities due to the distress they cause and the significant costs of cleanup and repair. The use of “splashing” tactics to intimidate or harass individuals owing money remains a persistent issue in the territory, disproportionately affecting small businesses and private citizens.
Investigation Focuses on Financial Motive
Investigators will now focus on the following lines of inquiry:
- CCTV Review: Analyzing surveillance footage from surrounding businesses and public cameras along How Ming Street and Wai Yip Street to track the movement of the suspects.
- Poster Tracing: Attempting to identify the individual responsible for creating and distributing the debt posters to establish the specific nature of the financial dispute.
- Building Connection: Determining if the individual or entity targeted by the debt notices has a direct affiliation with the Texaco Industrial Centre.
The widespread damage highlights the aggressive, and illegal, methods sometimes employed in private debt recovery. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the vandalism or the associated debt posters to contact the Kwun Tong police immediately. Punishments for conviction of criminal damage can include significant fines and imprisonment under Hong Kong law. The operation to clean the high-rise industrial exterior is expected to be lengthy and costly.
Leave a Reply