Former lawyer and crypto influencer Joseph Lam has been apprehended by the Hong Kong Police for allegedly associating with troubled cryptocurrency alternate JPEX. A neighborhood media outlet reported, citing sources conversant in the case, that the police arrested Lam on Monday, September 18.
JPEX And Influencers Falsely Promoted Unregistered Merchandise
Joseph Lam’s arrest comes amid a heated investigation by Hong Kong authorities into the JPEX alternate following its liquidity crunch. Based on reviews, the police raided his workplace and confiscated some bins containing proof of Liam’s connection to JPEX.
In the meantime, on Saturday, the influencer advised his over 190,000 Instagram followers that he visited the police on Friday. He stated he provided the police details about the crypto platform. Additionally, he urged these affected by JPEX’s liquidity crunch to name a police hotline arrange for reporting losses.
The continued police investigation into crypto alternate adopted a warning from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Fee (SFC). On September 13, the SFC stated the alternate illegally promoted its services and products to the general public utilizing social media influencers.
Moreover, the regulator alleged that JPEX and its influencers falsely introduced the platform as a duly registered alternate in Hong Kong. As well as, the regulator warned buyers to remain cautious about funding alternatives that seem deceptive or too interesting.
JPEX Halts Operations Citing Liquidity Challenges
JPEX has suspended buying and selling actions on its platform following the SFC’s investigation. In a September 17 weblog, it introduced plans to halt some operations, citing liquidity points with third-party market makers.
It acknowledged:
Lately, because of the unfair remedy by related establishments in Hong Kong towards JPEX, […], and a collection of unfavorable information, our partnered third-party market makers have maliciously frozen funds.
Based on the alternate, the market makers restricted its liquidity and considerably elevated working prices, leading to operational challenges. Subsequently, it elevated withdrawal charges with plans to readjust when issues return to regular.
Moreover, it disclosed plans to delist all transactions from its Earn Buying and selling interface by Monday, September 18. Consequently, customers can now not place new Earn orders. Nonetheless, it’s going to permit current Earn orders to proceed, however can solely obtain rewards till the top date.
In the meantime, on Saturday, Hong Kong police stated it acquired over 83 complaints about JPEX and belongings price $4.3 million. Some customers complained about difficulties withdrawing funds, with massive sums held again on JPEX as processing charges.
Based on the report, the police commissioner, Raymond Siu Chak-yee, stated the SFC filed a report over suspected fraud. He added that the Industrial Crime Bureau was investigating the matter, and the police inspired different victims to lodge their complaints.
Featured picture from Pixabay and chart from TradingView.com
