Anonymous Tip-Off Letter Offers Bitcoin Bounty for Reporting Liu Jiawen—CCP’s Repression Tactics Grow More Cunning

In December last year, the National Security Department of the police announced a bounty and issued a wanted notice for Liu Jiawen and five others. (Photo: Yan Ning / Dajiyuan)

People News - Earlier, multiple UK residents received anonymous letters urging them to report exiled Hong Kong activist Liu Jiawen. The letter included a “tip-off hotline” phone number. Radio Free Asia (RFA) managed to contact the number’s owner via WhatsApp, and the person claimed that those who successfully lured wanted individuals to the Chinese Embassy in the UK could receive a bounty of up to HK$1 million in Bitcoin. However, the person refused to reveal their identity. In response, another Hong Kong activist also wanted by the Hong Kong government criticized the authorities for becoming increasingly cunning in their methods. Liu Jiawen told RFA that after the anonymous letters appeared, she suspected that a Chinese man had secretly taken photos of her on the street. However, local police provided no further assistance.

Anonymous “Tip-Off Hotline” Operator Refuses to Identify Themselves, Claims Bounty Will Be Paid in Bitcoin

Last Wednesday (March 5), RFA sent a message via WhatsApp to the UK phone number listed in the letter, inquiring whether it could be used to report wanted individuals. The recipient responded 20 hours later, on the morning of Thursday (March 6) UK time, stating that reports must include photo evidence. When RFA asked whether leading other national security fugitives to the Chinese Embassy in the UK would result in a bounty, the person replied, “Which one?” and reiterated that payments would be made in Bitcoin.

The journalist asked at least three times for the person’s identity, including directly asking whether they were associated with the Hong Kong police. The reporter also questioned the person’s ability to pay the bounty and requested background information. However, the person refused to respond directly, only insisting that the “wanted notice is real” and that rewards would be given based on a “merit-based system,” with the amount depending on whether the wanted person was successfully lured to the embassy. When the journalist asked whether an in-person meeting was possible, the person stopped responding. The entire conversation was conducted in English.

The contact person claimed that bringing a wanted fugitive to the Chinese Embassy in the UK could result in a reward of up to HK$1 million, paid in Bitcoin. Fellow wanted activist Cheung Hei-ching believes that someone is attempting to use an untraceable payment method to encourage others to abduct them and deliver them to the Chinese Embassy.

“Tip-Off Hotline” Likely Uses Anonymous Prepaid SIM Cards, Easily Available in Hong Kong

Searches in two separate UK phone number databases showed that the phone number mentioned in the letter was serviced by Hutchison’s Three UK network. However, unlike postpaid phone numbers, it had no registered owner information, indicating that it was likely a prepaid “burner” SIM card. These types of prepaid SIM cards are not only available in the UK but can also be easily purchased in Hong Kong, including at street markets such as Ap Liu Street. They can also be activated and used directly in Hong Kong.

Earlier, Hong Kong’s Security Bureau responded to media inquiries, stating that it does not send anonymous letters. On Sunday (March 9), RFA again contacted the Security Bureau and the police press office, asking whether the Hong Kong government uses foreign phone numbers, deploys or authorizes personnel to collect intelligence overseas, or would investigate cases of individuals impersonating government officials abroad. However, as of Monday (March 10), no response had been received.

Liu Jiawen Suspects Being Secretly Photographed on the Street, Expresses Concern; Local Police: No Immediate Danger Requiring Additional Support

Liu Jiawen, the person involved in the incident, declined to comment on the conversation with the "reporting hotline" during an interview with Radio Free Asia. However, she noted that the incident has spread widely within the community, even causing concern for her landlord, who fears it may bring trouble. Some neighbors are more worried about her personal safety. Liu revealed that after the "report letter" appeared, she suspected she was secretly photographed on the street, which made her feel uneasy.

She recounted, 'I was at the station when someone appeared to be using their phone to point it at me... it was a young man who looked Asian, not very old, but still young. I felt like it was random, and they just happened to see me and took a picture.'

Liu further mentioned that local police reached out to her again recently, but only reiterated the safety precautions they had previously discussed, without offering any additional support: 'When I inquired about more assistance, they said that while the risks I face are increasing, it hasn't reached a level that necessitates further support from them. They suggested that I could consider hiring private security for personal protection. Honestly, I feel scared walking on the street now.'

Fellow Fugitive Cheuk Hei-ching: Hong Kong Government's Methods Becoming More Cunning; Bitcoin Bounty Could Encourage Crime

Cheuk Hei-ching, Advocacy and Public Affairs Associate Manager at the Hong Kong Committee for Freedom Foundation, who is also on the Hong Kong government's wanted list, believes that the anonymous individual conversing with the journalist on WhatsApp consistently refused to reveal their identity. Given that the Hong Kong government has not provided any further response to the incident, she speculates that the individual may be connected to the government or acting as its agent. She pointed out that offering a bounty in Bitcoin could be a tactic to evade legal responsibility.

Zhang Xiqing stated: "The fact that they mention using Bitcoin is intended to instill more confidence in those who might want to kidnap us—'My identity won't be exposed, I won't be apprehended, and there will be no repercussions for my actions.' Therefore, I believe this tactic resembles the methods used by organized crime."

She further pointed out that threats from the Hong Kong government have never ceased, describing their tactics as increasingly sophisticated: "In terms of their methods, they are gradually finding people to stalk us, seeking individuals to send messages that sexually harass us, and then issuing these anonymous letters urging those living nearby to take us to the embassy. I genuinely feel that their overall approach is becoming more cunning."

Zhang Xiqing hopes that the British police will implement more measures to protect the wanted Hong Kong citizens, as relying on bodyguards long-term is not a viable option.

(Adapted from Radio Free Asia)