FBI Opened Secret Antique Safe at Former Wong Office
Agents spent 15 minutes drilling into a safe found behind a staircase at the current Kink.com headquarters.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Financial Crime
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FBI agents searching a former office building once owned by Walter Wong unlocked an antique safe hidden behind a staircase. The vault, which dates back to the turn of the 20th century, contained nothing but a series of handwritten Post-It notes.
Why it matters
The search highlights the lingering federal interest in the properties once held by Wong, who pleaded guilty to corruption charges in 2020. The contents remained a mystery until the safe was opened following reports linking the building to ongoing inquiries.
A master safe-cracker opened the antique unit in just 15 minutes, uncovering only scribbled notes. This follows a 2020 case where $1.5 million was siphoned from the Chinatown Hilton.
The players
Walter Wong
A former building owner who pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges in 2020.
FBI
The federal agency that opened the safe as part of its ongoing investigation.
Kink.com
The current owner of the 95,000-square-foot office building where the safe was discovered.
The details
FBI agents conducted the search at the 95,000-square-foot building now owned by Kink.com after the company reported the hidden safe following recent media queries. A professional safe-cracker used a carbide-tipped drill and internal mirrors to access the mechanism, which originated from an L. H. Miller iron works in Baltimore. Agents also toured a secret floor within the facility during the operation.
Timeline
Late 1800s or early 1900s: The safe was manufactured in Baltimore.
2020: Walter Wong pleaded guilty to federal charges.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026: FBI agents opened the safe.
Across the Bay
The search follows the patterns established in the 2020 Walter Wong corruption case, as investigators continue to examine properties linked to his former business dealings. This discovery marks a continued federal effort to sweep through assets tied to that investigation.
There are no expected disruptions to neighborhood traffic or business operations at the site. Residents should be aware that federal activity remains present at the property as the investigation into former owners continues.
The takeaway
While the safe-cracking turned up only notes, the event serves as a reminder of the scale of the federal probe into local corruption. Keep an eye on future disclosures from the FBI regarding the contents of the building's secret floor.
Further reading
For more coverage on ongoing local investigations, check our Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mission Local.
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