Exclusive | Abby Choi murder: friends and grieving partner of slain Hong Kong socialite deny claims animal welfare charity involved in money laundering
- Paomes Charitable Organisation, established by model and three others just months before her death, has barely any money, bank statement shows
- Late model’s partner Chris Tam tells Post online rumours and accusations about charity’s finances have left them feeling ‘powerless and disappointed’
Choi’s partner Chris Tam and close friends Joey Wong, known as Mrs Pao, and Wong’s partner Bernard Cheng, a lawyer, called the online allegations of fraud an attack on their character and the memory of the late socialite.
“The four of us initially established the charity wholeheartedly, wanting to help those who need to care for animals, volunteers and the animals themselves,” Tam said in a letter to the Post.
“However, in the end, one of our members unfortunately passed away. The remaining members not only endured the pain of losing a partner but also faced scrutiny, criticism, cyberbullying and defamation … which left us feeling powerless and disappointed, resulting in the charity reaching a deadlock.”
Choi’s partial remains were discovered in a village house in Tai Po on February 24, three days after the 28-year-old went missing. Her ex-husband Alex Kwong Kong-chi, his parents and brother have been charged in connection with the killing.
Tam said the Paomes Charitable Organisation was registered in October last year and they opened a bank account this past January. They had received less than HK$2,000 (US$255) in donations. A copy of the charity’s bank statement from February seen by the Post showed a balance of zero on January 13 and HK$2,100 on February 13.
“To address any concerns, we have never disbursed any salaries,” Tam said. “Therefore, there have been no instances of money laundering or fraud. As for my family, we have contributed towards several charities, but have never donated towards our own.”
Wong said Tam no longer worked with Paomes and she alone would run the charity as a social enterprise offering animal welfare services, a decision made after they were subject to what they called malicious rumours circulating on social media and attacks from influencers.
Wong and Cheng also denied they were seeking self-publicity by acting as a media representative for Choi’s grieving partner.
“This is ridiculous,” Cheng said. “We don’t need to gain publicity through this tragedy. Chris is a low-key person and facing mounting pressure. We just want to help him handle some of the media’s inquiries. Actually we are all suffering from this trauma and seeking psychological help.”
Wong told the Post she would always remember Choi as an endearing friend who never hesitated to help those in need, including animals.
“In my eyes Abby was a sincere and kind person. Her dream was to run an animal charity to educate students in schools about how to love and take good care of animals but unfortunately this dream was unfulfilled,” she said.
“She also strove for the best future for her four children, such as getting one of them into Harrow International School … I only hope to see justice done for Abby.”
According to an invitation seen by the Post, a vigil for Choi is scheduled to take place at Po Fook Memorial Hall in Sha Tin on June 18. It will be followed by a ceremony the next morning before the remains are taken to Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island for cremation.
