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An 18-year-old woman was convicted of 10 counts of fraud and one count of theft at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts today (November 29) and was remanded in custody until December 20 for sentencing.
The court heard that from November 2009 to June 2010, the defendant offered to sell mobile phones at below-market price on local online discussion forums. Potential buyers were then duped into making cash deposits into designated bank accounts but no goods were provided after payment while the woman could not be contacted.
Meanwhile, the woman also bought cosmetics, handbags and mobile phones on the forums and delayed payments with different excuses after receiving the goods. She further lured the sellers into giving her money. Investigations revealed that a total of 12 victims had been deceived, involving cash and goods amounted to $86,300.
Following extensive analysis and investigation, officers from the Technology Crime Division of the Commercial Crime Bureau arrested the woman in Sheung Shui in August 2010. She was subsequently charged and convicted today. She is being remanded in custody until December 20 for sentencing.
Police stressed that fraud and theft are serious offences that carry maximum penalties of 14 and 10 years' imprisonment respectively. Cyber crimes are considered as equivalent to committing crimes in the actual world. Although offenders may try to disguise their identity by some means, Police are competent and determined to bring them to justice.
Police Report No.142
Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:15
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