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Police neutralised a fraud syndicate following the arrest of five members believed to have stolen personal data of other people for pecuniary advantages.

Investigations showed that some of the suspects made use of their previous jobs in mobile phone business to get customers' personal information to forge documents for applying bank loans and credit cards.

Briefing the media on the operation, Superintendent (Operations & Crime) of Hong Kong Island, Mr Man Chi-hung, said that following extensive investigations into prevalent fraudulent activities in telemarketing business via banks, officers from the Regional Crime Unit, Hong Kong Island (RCU/HKI), identified a syndicate engaging in such kind of illicit activities.

In June, a 23-year-old contacted the telemarketing centre of a bank to apply for $51,000 in loan after verbally providing false personal data and faxing copies of documents as proof of his application and financial status.

With the assistance of the company, Police found discrepancies over his application by examining his data," he said.

With the co-operation of the company, Police officers arrested him when he arrived at the company office in Tsim Sha Tsui on June 26 to submit an identity card in the name of another person for verifying the application.

Another identity card and a cash withdrawal card, both in the name of other persons, were also found in his possession.

"Subsequent raids a day later led to the arrest of a 47-year-old man in the first suspect's working place in San Po Kong where some 200 photocopies of others' identity cards, a large amount of information covering similar false applications to various companies including banks and mobile phone companies were seized," Mr Man said.

The second suspect's 19-year-old son was also arrested in his home in Kai Yip Estate, Ngau Tau Kok, on the same day.

Following a comparison of mobile phone data taken from the 23-year-old man, two suspects, a 27-year-old man and her 24-year-old wife, were arrested in their home in Sha Tin on July 3 after their addresses were identified.

A computer set and a scanner believed to be used in the scam were found in subsequent searches in the 23-year-old man's house.

"Police enquiries revealed that four of the culprits had previously worked in a mobile phone company of which the 27-year-old man was the supervisor.

"They might have forged documents by stealing customers' data to apply for bank loans and credit cards for financial gains," he said.

Police would interview those persons whose identity cards surfaced and investigate if those cards or copies were put to other fraudulent use.

The arrested persons had been bailed out, pending further enquiries.

Among the offences are using and possessing an identity card relating to other, and conspiracy to cheat and defraud.

Investigations by RCU/HKI are proceeding.

"Members of the public who suspected their personal data was stolen for illicit use are urged to report to the Police as soon as possible," Mr Man said.

Add Police Report No.1

Issued by PPRB

End/2130 hours, Thursday, June 6, 2000 (RCH/CC)