HONG KONG — Once a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency scene, 30-year-old Wong now finds himself the subject of an international manhunt following the collapse of the JPEX investment platform.
Wong, known by his flashy moniker “Coin Young Master,” led a high-profile lifestyle, residing in a detached house on Hing Keng Shek Road in Sai Kung, where he frequently hosted gatherings and press conferences. However, the neon sign that once adorned his home has been taken down, and local residents report he moved out in 2020. The property is now occupied by a foreign tenant.
After fleeing to Taiwan late last year, Wong has reportedly relocated to an undisclosed location in Southeast Asia, prompting Hong Kong police to escalate their efforts. Earlier this month, they applied to Interpol for red notices against Wong and his 26-year-old assistant, Mok Tsun-ting, marking a significant step in the case.
Wong faces serious charges: one count of fraud and two counts of theft, while Mok is implicated in two counts of money laundering. Interpol’s involvement signals the gravity of the situation, as the organization requires member countries to notify it of any arrests related to such notices.
Legislator Ng Kit-chong, who has been advocating for victims of the JPEX scam, expressed confidence that Interpol’s issuance of red notices indicates substantial evidence against Wong and Mok. Ng emphasized that Southeast Asian nations, including Singapore and Malaysia, have extradition agreements with Hong Kong, which could facilitate their return for trial.
“The cooperation of these countries with Interpol will have a positive impact on the JPEX case,” Ng stated. He reassured the public that the incident is isolated and will not hinder Hong Kong’s ambitions to become an international hub for Web3 technology. The Legislative Council is set to review two new laws regarding virtual assets, with the first readings expected later this year.
Wong’s rise to notoriety was marked by his claims of overcoming a challenging upbringing and achieving success through cryptocurrency investments. His social media presence flaunted his wealth, featuring images of large sums of cash and luxury vehicles. However, his past is marred by controversy, including an arrest in 2018 for scattering banknotes in Sham Shui Po and involvement in a mining machine fraud case the following year.
As authorities ramp up their pursuit, the JPEX scandal continues to cast a long shadow over Hong Kong’s burgeoning cryptocurrency landscape, prompting officials to warn investors to remain vigilant against high-risk schemes.
