*********************************************************

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong to a

suspected fraudulent website with the domain name

"www.asiacenturyhongkong.com". The website is operated

by an alleged "Asiacentury Bank", which claims that it

offers various banking services to members of the

public in Hong Kong.

The public should be aware that the alleged

entity is not authorized under the Banking Ordinance to

carry on banking business or the business of taking

deposits in Hong Kong, nor does it have the approval to

establish a local representative office.

The HKMA has referred the case to the Hong

Kong Police Force for further investigation and

appropriate action. Anyone who has provided his or her

personal information to the website or has conducted

any financial transactions through the website should

contact any local Police Station or the Commercial

Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860

5012.

Given the global nature of the Internet,

members of the public are reminded to verify the status

of any organisation making use of the Internet to

solicit deposits from the public. A list of authorized

institutions is available on the HKMA's website

(www.hkma.gov.hk). Members of the public may also

check the status of any entity in Hong Kong which

solicits deposits from the public with the HKMA by

calling its public enquiry hotline 2878 8222.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Kevin Ip, Manager (Press), at 2878 1687 or

Thomas Chan, Senior Manager (Press), at 2878 1480

Ends/Saturday, November 27, 2004

NNNN