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Two males and three females, aged between 19 and 25, were convicted of two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of using a false instrument at the District Count today (December 6). They were remanded in custody until December 23 for sentencing.
The court heard that between January and May 2011, 10 victims (three males and seven females, aged from18 to 25) responded to Internet advertisements looking for ．mystery customer・ to conduct service quality surveys of financial institutions and retail shops. The victims were induced to use their genuine identities to apply for loans from financial institutions, or to use their own credit cards to buy goods from various retail shops for the purpose of evaluating their service quality. Once the victims passed the loans and goods obtained to the swindlers, the swindlers could not be contacted. The victims suffered a total loss of $329,000.
Following in-depth investigations, officers of Technology Crime Division, Commercial Crime Bureau arrested the two males and three females between 22 and 24 May 2011. They were subsequently charged and convicted upon trial at the District Court and remanded in custody for sentencing.
Police emphasise that conspiracy to defraud and using a false instrument are serious offences that carry maximum penalties of 14 years・ imprisonment. Police have the means and determination to identify and bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice.
Police remind young people not to disclose personal information on the Internet or believe in job advertisements or messages that are ．too good to be true・, i.e. offer high remuneration for low-skilled work or entail very little effort on the part of job seekers. Further information on similar types of scams can also be obtained from the Police website.
Police Report No. 162
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Issued at HKT 22:37
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