Today, the Eastern Magistracy sentenced retail trader Christine Yeung Tak Sum to 18 months' imprisonment under the relevant provisions of section 300 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance in an illegal short selling case prosecuted by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for securities fraud offences, the first time an individual has been convicted of committing a fraudulent or false scheme in an illegal short selling transaction with intent to deceive.。

In the judgment, Magistrate Jeffrey Sze Cho Yiu said that the seriousness of the crime, the premeditation of the crime and the large amount of illegal profits involved, taking into account the importance of maintaining Hong Kong's status as an international financial center, must send a strong warning message to the public and immediately enforce the detention sentence against the offenders.。

Christopher Wilson, the SFC's enforcement director, said: "This case stems from a complex hype and sell-off investigation, and we have uncovered suspected securities fraud, namely illegal short selling, that was conducted immediately before the stock price plummeted.。The outcome of this case sends a clear and strong warning to market participants that the SEC has zero tolerance for market misconduct.。We will redouble our efforts to eradicate market misconduct in order to maintain market integrity and maintain a level playing field in the Hong Kong market.。"