FINANCE

Hong Kong Launches First U.K. Asset Preservation Action in Insider Trading Probe

Published: Feb. 27, 2026 2:58 a.m. GMT+8

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The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. (HKEX) in Hong Kong. Photo: VCG

Hong Kong’s securities regulator has obtained court orders to freeze the assets of a former Hong Kong stock exchange executive and two of his relatives in Hong Kong and the U.K. over alleged insider trading.

The Securities and Futures Commission said Tuesday that it secured interim injunctions against Chan Ching-wah, a former assistant vice president in the listing division of Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd., as well as his relatives Lam Cho-man and Chau Chi-kwong. The orders cover assets totaling HK$4.3 million ($550,000).

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Hong Kong’s securities regulator froze HK$4.3 million ($550,000) in assets of former exchange executive Chan Ching-wah and two relatives due to alleged insider trading.
The Securities and Futures Commission secured court orders in both Hong Kong and the UK after the suspects moved funds overseas.
Chan allegedly used confidential information from his role to trade shares of at least seven companies via relatives’ accounts.

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Who’s Who

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.: Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. (HKEX) is Hong Kong's stock exchange operator. An investigation by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) targeted a former HKEX assistant vice president, Chan Ching-wah, for alleged insider trading. Chan, who worked in the listing division, is accused of using confidential information for personal gain through relatives' accounts.

SOHO China Ltd.: SOHO China Ltd. is one of seven listed companies whose confidential, price-sensitive information was allegedly accessed by a former Hong Kong Stock Exchange executive, Chan Ching-wah. Chan is accused of insider trading by using this non-public information to conduct trades through relatives' accounts.

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Ltd.: Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Ltd., also known as Ping An Good Doctor, was among several companies whose shares were involved in an alleged insider trading scheme. A former Hong Kong stock exchange executive, Chan Ching-wah, is accused of using confidential information to trade, primarily through his relatives.

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.: ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. was one of the companies involved in an alleged insider trading scheme. The former Hong Kong stock exchange executive, Chan Ching-wah, is accused of using confidential information to trade shares, including those of ENN Energy, through accounts belonging to his relatives. This scheme led to the freezing of assets by Hong Kong's securities regulator.

Jinmao Hotel: Jinmao Hotel's shares were involved in an alleged insider trading scheme. Chan Ching-wah, a former Hong Kong stock exchange executive, allegedly used confidential, price-sensitive information to direct trades in several companies, including Jinmao Hotel. These trades were made through an in-law's securities account, with information also being passed to another relative.

Beijing Capital Land Ltd.: Beijing Capital Land Ltd. was among the companies whose shares were allegedly traded by Chan Ching-wah, a former Hong Kong stock exchange executive, and his relatives. This insider trading scheme involved using confidential, price-sensitive information before it became public.

Lifestyle International Holdings Ltd.: Lifestyle International Holdings Ltd., also known as 利福国际集团有限公司, was one of the companies whose shares were involved in alleged insider trading by Chan Ching-wah. Chan, a former HKEX executive, is accused of using confidential information to trade shares of at least seven listed companies, including Lifestyle International Holdings Ltd., through relatives' accounts.

Get Nice Financial Group Ltd.: Get Nice Financial Group Ltd. was one of several companies whose shares were involved in an alleged insider trading scheme. Chan Ching-wah, a former Hong Kong stock exchange executive, allegedly used confidential information to trade, including shares of Get Nice Financial Group.

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What Happened When

Before February 24, 2026：: Chan Ching-wah, Lam Cho-man, and Chau Chi-kwong left Hong Kong and transferred assets overseas, prompting the SFC to begin parallel legal proceedings in Britain.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026：: The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced it had secured interim injunctions to freeze the assets of Chan Ching-wah and his relatives Lam Cho-man and Chau Chi-kwong in Hong Kong and the U.K. over alleged insider trading.

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