Police have arrested 18 people - including 13 foreign domestic helpers - over suspected money laundering involving more than HK$35 million.

Officers said they suspect a syndicate had been luring foreign domestic helpers with offers of up to HK$2,500 to open bank accounts for them to launder proceeds from scams that started in 2021.

At least 33 bank accounts are alleged to have been used to launder proceeds from dozens of online love or investment scams.

Five members of the suspected syndicate were also arrested.