The Executive Director, International Operations, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, U.S., Mr Eric Hylton, led a three-member delegation in paying a courtesy call on Assistant Commissioner (Crime) John Ribeiro on May 11.

 

Being the revenue service of the U.S., the IRS is responsible for collecting taxes and revenue. IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents are tasked with investigation of tax fraud, money laundering and bank secrecy laws.

 

During his visit, Mr Hylton expressed his gratitude for the ongoing professional assistance provided by various crime bureaux for the IRS investigators stationed in the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong.  Mr Ribeiro took the opportunity to reassure Mr Hylton that the Force will continue to work closely with its overseas counterparts in combating transnational crimes. 

 

After the courtesy call, the delegation members visited the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit, where they were briefed on the issues of financial crimes and money laundering trends affecting both the U.S. and Hong Kong.

 

Meanwhile on May 13, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in the United Kingdom, Mr David Green, paid a courtesy call on Mr Ribeiro. 

 

Being part of Mr Green's visit to Hong Kong from May 10 to 18, the courtesy call aimed at strengthening the ties between the Force and the SFO, which is an independent UK Government department that investigates serious or complex fraud and corruption cases.

 

During his courtesy call, Mr Green gained a better understanding of the work of the Force and its strategies of combating transnational crime.  After the call, Mr Green visited Commercial Crime Bureau to look at how the bureau tackles complex and protracted commercial crimes in Hong Kong.