The Securities and Futures Commission announced that, following a previous joint investigation with the police, 19 defendants in three large and well-organized 'pump and dump' cases were interrogated in the district court yesterday (12th), accused of committing securities fraud and money laundering related to shares of three listed companies. The three listed companies are Eggriculture (08609.HK), Fullwealth Construction Holdings (now known as Fullwealth Holdings) (01034.HK), and KNT Holdings (01025.HK).

The Securities and Futures Commission stated that the defendants did not need to plead during yesterday's hearing, and the case has been adjourned until March 25 next year. The court also granted bail to the defendants under certain conditions.

In addition, in the case involving KNT Holdings, the district court earlier approved the Department of Justice's application to consolidate this case with another case previously transferred by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts, involving a case of the same group's alleged key member.