Melbourne Residents Targeted with $200k Bounty Letter Tied to Hong Kong Activist
A select group of residents in Melbourne have received anonymous letters offering a reward of approximately $203,000 for information leading to an Australian pro-democracy activist wanted for purported national security offenses in Hong Kong. The letters connect the activist, Kevin Yam, to two local addresses.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong termed the letters “deeply concerning,” affirming that the matter would be addressed with officials in China and Hong Kong.
Sent from Hong Kong and delivered to certain homes on Friday, the letters included a photo of Yam along with a claim that he was a “wanted person.” They detailed several alleged offenses related to national security, offering HK$1 million (approximately A$203,000) from the Hong Kong police for information on his whereabouts or for delivering him to either Hong Kong or Australian authorities.
Yam is a lawyer who lived in Hong Kong for 20 years before relocating to Australia in 2022. He is one of eight activists abroad facing Hong Kong police arrest warrants issued in July 2023 under a contentious national security law that allows sweeping extraterritorial jurisdiction over perceived criminal activity anywhere in the world.
He has spoken out against the crackdown on dissent and the deterioration of judicial independence in Hong Kong, and has been accused of pushing foreign governments to impose sanctions on judicial and government officials.
The origin of the letters remains unclear, but the wording resembles official public notices from the Hong Kong police. A UK phone number at the bottom of the letter has also been linked to the Hong Kong police, who have been contacted for comment.
The letter provided a detailed description of Yam and cited residential addresses in the Melbourne suburb of Abbotsford and the central business district, targeting homes near these locations.
“A reward of HK$1 million is being offered by the Hong Kong police to anyone who can provide information about this wanted individual and the associated crime or who can bring him to the Hong Kong or Australian authorities,” it stated.
The letter encouraged individuals with knowledge of Yam’s whereabouts to contact the Hong Kong police’s national security department. It also referenced a declaration from Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security, Tang Ping-keung, designating Yam an “absconder” concerning national security offenses on December 24, 2024.
Earlier this month, similar letters—formatted identically—were sent to neighbors of Carmen Lau, a former Hong Kong district councilor now residing in the UK. Lau shared with NBC News that she felt unsafe in her current home due to the letters.
Wong’s spokesperson condemned the targeting of an Australian citizen as “completely unacceptable.”
“The Australian government will not tolerate surveillance, harassment, or intimidation of individuals or their families within Australia,” the spokesperson emphasized, stating such actions undermine national sovereignty and the safety of Australians. “We are raising our concerns directly with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.”
A representative from the Hong Kong government denied issuing anonymous letters but affirmed that it would pursue those accused of violating its national security law, including efforts to disconnect their financial resources to prevent further activities deemed threatening.
Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson labeled the letters as “outrageous” and “entirely unacceptable” examples of foreign interference and has backed governmental outreach to Chinese and Hong Kong officials. “Those responsible for distributing this pamphlet should be investigated under espionage and foreign interference laws. There must be serious repercussions to convey the message that we will not tolerate such crude intimidation,” Paterson said.
In July 2023, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, Mao Ning, urged Australia, the UK, and the US to cease providing refuge for the eight activists. “Relevant countries must respect China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, stop supporting anti-China elements that destabilize the region, and stop offering safe havens to fugitives,” she asserted.
When the arrest warrant for Yam was issued, he pledged to remain vocal, feeling a
This situation is alarming and highlights the increasing reach of authoritarian regimes into democratic countries. The offer of a bounty for information on Kevin Yam not only raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of individuals standing up for democracy and human rights, but it also poses a troubling question about the extent of foreign interference in Australia.
It’s encouraging to see Australian officials respond firmly to such intimidation tactics, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens from foreign pressure and ensuring national sovereignty. This incident also underscores the importance of international solidarity in defending the rights of activists like Yam, who are risking their safety to advocate for freedom and justice in oppressive environments.
Moreover, the public response to this matter will play a crucial role in shaping how foreign influence is managed in Australia moving forward. It’s vital that the Australian government continues to pursue this issue with both resolve and urgency to safeguard its citizens and uphold fundamental democratic values in the face of external threats.