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London gold fraud syndicate members arrested
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     Police today (October 17) arrested a man and four women, who were suspected to be in connection with a London gold fraud case involving about $16 million.

     Police received reports between January and July, 2012 from three Mainlanders that they were suspected to be deceived by an investment company in Wan Chai.

     Police Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) took up the case. Investigation revealed that from January to July 2012, when the three Mainland victims were seeking financial support for their business, they were induced by some middlemen to open loco London Gold accounts at the said investment company and deposit funds into those accounts for proof of funds and payment of commissions.

     Two of the victims deposited $2.6 million and $10.5 million respectively to their London gold trading accounts. They subsequently found only a small amount of balance was left in their accounts and a number of transactions were made.

     Another victim was told by the middleman that he had deposited $6 million into his account, and was asked to repay the middleman by cash. After the victim had paid the middleman $2.79 million as part of the repayment, he learnt that the purported $6 million deposit was not true. All victims were deceived for a total amount of $15.89 million.

     The officers mounted an operation this afternoon and arrested one man and three women, aged between 23 and 53, at the investment company in Wan Chai. Furthermore, a 46-year-old woman was arrested at a residential unit in Ma On Shan. The arrestees were arrested for conspiracy to defraud and were believed to be the core members of a London gold fraud syndicate.

     All arrestees will be detained overnight pending further enquiries.

     CCB together with all Districts, will continue to take a series of strategic enforcement actions against London Gold fraud. Police remind members of the public to be vigilant in investing in London Gold. Public should never disclose any account particulars and password to other parties and be careful before authorizing others to handle transactions.

Police Report No. 353
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 23:44

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