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¡@Police believe to have smashed a gambling deception syndicate following the arrests of four men yesterday (June 23) and with seizures including golden ornament worth about $180,000 and two counterfeit identity cards.
Since the beginning of the year, reports were made to Police that businesspersons from outside Hong Kong were brought to hotel rooms and was cajoled or lured into playing poker games and were swindled while playing poker games. Following intensive investigations, officers arrested four men, aged between 43 and 52, in Tsim Sha Tsui. They were allegedly in connection with a case in which a 47-year-old mainland Chinese man was encouraged into playing poker games and was swindled of $180,000 at a hotel in Tuen Mun in the earlier time.
Police advise members of the public do not take part in any illegal gambling activities.
Anyone who is convicted of "cheating at gambling" under section 17 of Cap 148, Gambling Ordinance, is liable to a maximum penalty of $1,000,000 and imprisonment of ten years.
Active investigations by Regional Crime Unit of Hong Kong Island are underway. The arrested men are being detained for further enquiries.
Police reports No. 9
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Friday, June 24, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:14
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