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Internet fraudsters arrested
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     In view of the growing popularity of Internet auctions and increase in Internet commercial fraud cases, officers of Technology Crime Division, Commercial Crime Bureau (TCD CCB) and Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North (RCU NTN) conducted intelligence-led operations to combat such crimes and arrested five men and seven women in various locations throughout the New Territories and Kowloon yesterday (March 2) and today (March 3).

     Officers of TCD CCB yesterday (March 2) arrested a 16-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman in the New Territories. They were suspected to be in connection with twelve Internet shopping fraud cases involving eleven victims and an amount of over $22,000. They were arrested for obtaining properties by deception and money laundering. They have been released on police bail and are required to report back to Police in mid-April.

     Officers of RCU NTN also conducted an operation this morning (March 3) and arrested four men and six women, aged between 14 and 54, in various locations throughout the New Territories and Kowloon for obtaining properties by deception. They were in suspected connection with 20 fraudulent online auction cases that involved 23 victims and an amount of about $70,000. All the arrested persons have been released on police bail and are required to report back in late March.

     During operations, officers also seized some computers, mobile phones and bank statements for further investigation. The operations are still going on.

     Police investigation revealed that the commonest trick used by the swindlers is that they fraudulently put merchandise on sale through on-line advertisements or Internet auction sites and supply an email address and a telephone number to the buyers for transactions. The swindlers fail to deliver goods to the victims after receiving the payment from buyers.

     Police remind the public to stay vigilant when using e-shopping. They should confirm the identity of the traders before making any transaction. It is also advisable to use platforms with identity verification system for e-shopping or to arrange face-to-face transactions.

     Anyone who is convicted of "Obtaining property by deception" (section 17 of Cap 210, Theft Ordinance) is liable to a maximum penalty of imprisonment of ten years. Anyone who lends his or her bank account to others may contravene section 25 of Cap 455, "Dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence" under Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance and may be liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $5 million and 14 years' imprisonment.

Police Report No. 30
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Thursday, March 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:04

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