The two men earlier reported to the police and said they were cheated of HK$22 million and HK$13 million, respectively. The first man in the US said he was a romance scam victim, while the other in Singapore said the fraudsters pretended to be officers from Chinese law enforcement agencies.

After investigation, officers from Kwai Tsing district technology crime division arrested three local women, aged from 21 to 45, in the Southern district, Kwai Tsing and Kwun Tong, for money laundering on Monday and Tuesday.

Police seized evidence, including their phones and ATM cards, and froze about HK$6.3 million in their bank accounts.

The trio has been released on bail. Police said the investigation is ongoing and didn't rule out more arrests.

Police warned the public that money laundering is a serious crime, and the maximum penalty upon conviction carries a HK$5 million fine and 14-year imprisonment.

Officers also urged citizens not to let down their guard when they encounter suspicious activities involving money and sensitive personal information and to report to police by dialing the anti-scam helpline 18222.