An actor and two online influencers were among 15 people appearing in Eastern Magistrates' Court on Thursday after thousands of people were allegedly conned out of a total of HK$1.6 billion in a cryptocurrency scam.

The defendants are accused of various offences including fraud and money laundering linked to a cryptocurrency platform, JPEX.

Among them are actor Cheng Chun-hei and influencers Lam Chok and Chan Wing-yee.

No pleas were taken and the case was adjourned until December 15 pending transfer to the High Court.

Cheng was remanded in custody after prosecutors opposed his bail application.

The others were released ahead of their next court appearances.

Lam and Chan were allowed to leave on bail of HK$300,000 and were ordered to surrender their travel documents, report to police once a week, and not to contact witnesses in the case.