Hong Kong police uncover chat group with sexual images of children and upskirt photos, including some allegedly taken by tutors during class

Hong Kong police have arrested 21 men for possession of child pornography and upskirt images, including private tutors accused of surreptitiously filming their students during classes.

Superintendent Wong Yick-lung of the Kowloon East regional crime unit said on Thursday that officers had uncovered a social media chat group containing child pornography, as well as upskirt images taken on public transport and in shopping centres, that could be downloaded.

“The arrestees included private tutors who allegedly discreetly took intimate photos of their female students during class and then discussed them with other members online,” he said.

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The 21 men, aged between 19 and 47, included students, technicians, cleaners and construction workers, among other occupations. They were arrested on Monday and Tuesday and released on bail.

Chief Inspector So Chi-bing of the Kowloon East regional crime unit said that among the arrested men, eight were apprehended on suspicion of possessing child pornography, while 13 were accused of unlawful filming and publishing intimate images without consent.

Officers also uncovered 7,200 child pornography images and over 120 surreptitiously filmed videos on some of the electronic devices seized during the arrests.

In total, officers confiscated 24 smartphones, three tablets, 11 computers and 53 external storage drives during the operation.

The chief inspector said police would continue to investigate the sources of the photos and footage, as well as whether the arrested men had been involved in other sexual offences.

So warned that people who joined online groups to look at child pornography or other intimate photos taken without consent were “effectively accomplices” and risked facing criminal charges as well.

“[Those] inciting and abetting others to take upskirt photos or upload photos taken without consent could be committing an aiding and abetting offence, which carries the same criminal liability as those who have taken the photos,” he added.

The chief inspector also urged parents hiring private home tutors to utilise police background checks to ensure the applicants do not have a history of sexual offences.

First launched in late 2011, the Sexual Conviction Record Check scheme allows organisations to check prospective employees, contract staff and outsourced service providers for convictions related to a specified list of sexual offences.

The scope of offences covered includes voyeurism, rape, indecent assault, indecency with children under 16 and child pornography.

The scheme was expanded in 2025 to cover volunteer teachers and sports coaches. Each check is valid for 36 months, during which time the employer can review the employee’s record an unlimited number of times.

In June this year, authorities proposed overhauling Hong Kong’s sex crime laws to enhance protections for children and mentally incapacitated persons.

Under the government’s plan, sexual assault against minors under 16 and people with mental impairment will carry a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment, up from the current two years.

A new range of offences has also been proposed, including making it an offence to cause children or people with mental disabilities to witness sexual acts, watch sexual imagery or send sexual images.

Public consultation on the sexual offence reform concluded in August, with Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung saying over 90 per cent of suggestions from residents supported the proposed amendments.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.