Police on Monday said they had arrested four men for allegedly stealing other people's personal data and making application withdrawals from the government's Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR).

Last month, Chief Executive John Lee told police to investigate a big surge this year in withdrawal applications from the organ donation system.

Officers said the men, aged between 19 and 47, are suspected of accessing a computer with dishonest intent.

The suspects are alleged to have stolen other people's personal information and filled in random names and identity card numbers to withdraw applications.

"The personal information involved was from current and former government officials, lawmakers, celebrities and the public," Superintendent Wilson Tam said.

He also said preliminary investigations showed that the withdrawals from the CODR were not part of an organised campaign.