Police on Thursday said a 53-year-old man was arrested on charges of conspiracy to defraud after allegedly providing personal information to a criminal syndicate to fraudulently register driver accounts on a ride-hailing platform.

Superintendent Li Muk-yik of the New Territories South regional crime headquarters said the syndicate allegedly used the personal data to create accounts, enabling unauthorised drivers to transport passengers for profit.

He said the investigation began after a passenger reported a suspicious ride booked via a platform in the Tsuen Wan area on August 11.

"Upon entering the vehicle, the complainant noticed that the driver was very unfamiliar with the route and could only communicate in Putonghua," Li said.

"After questioning, the driver admitted he was not a Hong Kong ID card holder, raising suspicions that he might be an illegal worker.

"After the ride, the complainant reported the incident online to the police."

Officers identified and arrested a local man on Wednesday on suspicion of providing his personal details to the syndicate to open platform accounts and simultaneously using an account provided by the syndicate to pick up passengers and collect fares.

Li said the syndicate is believed to have been operating for over two months, profiting through commission fees.

Police are actively investigating the syndicate's scale and the number of fraudulent accounts involved.

Li said the man remains in custody for questioning and that police are also seeking three other syndicate members: a person responsible for recruiting account holders, the driver involved in the incident, and the owner of the vehicle.