Hong Kong debt collectors add cash to notices with target’s photo amid shake-up of tactics

Debt collectors have resorted to a new tactic to pressure a Hong Kong businessman to pay him back, distributing dozens of notes with his face on them and HK$10 (US$1.30) banknotes attached to them, according to reports. the Post has learned.

A police source said on Wednesday that the money had been attached to the notices and scattered on a busy street to entice passers-by to collect them.

A clip posted online on Tuesday shows dozens of collection slips left along the westbound carriageway of Des Voeux Road Central, near the intersection with Morrison Street in Sheung Wan, the day before.

Each message was the size of a sheet of A4 paper and contained a HK$10 note, which about ten pedestrians were seen picking up in the video.

“The money used in the incident amounts to approximately HK$1,000,” the source said, adding that it was considered cheaper than hiring triad gangs to spray red paint on the target’s door or create nuisance to make phone calls.

Officers were also investigating what criminal offenses were involved in the incident, he said.