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CCB operation combats use of false cards
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     Police Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) conducted an operation yesterday (January 25) targeting the use of counterfeit payment cards to withdraw funds from banks' ATMs illegally. Three expatriate males were arrested for the offences of "Using a False Instrument" and "Possession of a False Instrument" and were still being detained.

     CCB earlier received intelligence about a syndicate suspectedly involved in counterfeit payment cards being encoded with data stolen from overseas bank accounts and making withdrawals at ATMs in Wanchai.  

     Investigations revealed that about HK$238,000 was appropriated at ATMs in the past few days. Action was taken yesterday with three expatriate males, aged between 22 and 30, arrested in Wanchai. During the operation, 29 suspect cards, together with a large amount of Hong Kong and foreign currencies amounting to about HK$2 million, were also seized.   

     It was believed that a transnational syndicate engaged in the making and using of counterfeit payment cards had been neutralised following the arrest. The three arrestees are being detained for further enquiries.

     Police appeal to the public to properly protect their credit data with the following advice:

1. Stay vigilant and put your credit card in a safe place;

2. Don't give your card to others unless you have to pay with it;

3. Don't put your card and its password together, and don't use your date of birth, telephone numbers or Identity Card number as passwords as they can be easily identified; and

4. Destroy bank letters containing credit card data and customer copies of credit card payment before disposal.

     Police are determined and capable of combating any illegal acts affecting business operation in Hong Kong. We will continue to work closely with the banking industry, and Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies to deter transnational illegal activities.        
  
Police Report No. 16
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 22:12

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