SFC issues restriction notices to four brokers to freeze client accounts linked to suspected account hacking and market manipulation
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued restriction notices to four brokers, prohibiting them from dealing with or processing certain assets held in their client accounts for suspected market manipulation or fraud involving unauthorised online trades placed through hacked accounts between 24 October and 6 November 2024.
The four brokers are: Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Limited (IBHK); SBI China Capital Financial Services Limited (SBI); Monmonkey Group Securities Limited (Monmonkey); and Soochow Securities International Brokerage Limited (Soochow).
The restriction notices prohibit the four brokers, without the SFC’s prior written consent, from disposing of or dealing with, assisting, counselling or procuring another person to dispose of or deal with certain assets in any way in the accounts up to a total of $91 million. They are also required to notify the SFC if they receive any instructions regarding the aforesaid prohibitions.
The SFC considers that the issue of the restriction notices is desirable in the interest of the investing public or in the public interest whilst its investigation is underway.
The SFC acknowledges the assistance provided by the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau and Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force.
中文版本
證監會向四家經紀行發出限制通知書凍結與涉嫌黑客入侵及操縱市場有關的客戶帳戶
證券及期貨事務監察委員會（證監會）向四家經紀行發出限制通知書，禁止它們處置或處理其客戶帳戶內所持有的若干資產，原因是該等帳戶涉嫌與操縱市場或欺詐行為有關。有關行為在2024年10月24日至11月6日期間發生，涉及帳戶遭入侵以進行未經授權網上交易。
這四家經紀行分別是盈透證券香港有限公司（盈透）、軟庫中華金融服務有限公司（軟庫）、大聖證券有限公司（大聖）及東吳證券國際經紀有限公司（東吳）。
有關限制通知書禁止這四家經紀行在未取得證監會的事先書面同意的情況下，處置或處理，或輔助、慫使或促致另一人以任何方式處置或處理該等帳戶內的若干資產，以總額9,100萬元為限。若該等經紀行接獲任何與上述限制有關的指示，亦須通知證監會。
證監會認為，就維護投資大眾的利益或公眾利益而言，發出有關限制通知書是可取的。有關調查仍在進行中。
證監會感謝香港警務處網絡安全及科技罪案調查科和商業罪案調查科提供協助。