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Police arrested twelve men and a woman, aged 18 to 24, who were suspected to use forged documents to deceive financial institutes, for conspiracy to defraud and using a false instrument. It is believed that Police have successfully neutralized a deception syndicate during the operation.
Two men, aged 18 and 19, surrendered to Ma On Shan Police Station on May 5. They claimed that they were lured by a deception syndicate to use false address statements and employment records to obtain personal loans from financial institutions. They were arrested on the same day and were released on bail pending further investigation.
Officers of District Crime Squad of Sha Tin Police District took over the case. After extensive investigations, the officers mounted an operation yesterday (May 26) and further arrested ten men and a woman, aged 18 to 24, in which three of them are members of a syndicate, in various locations across the territory.
Investigations revealed that the three members of the syndicate approached one of the surrendered male through Internet and persuaded him to obtain personal loans from financial institutions with false documents but his genuine personal particulars for a commission as reward. The man later persuaded his friends to join him for the illegal activities.
The total amount of loans deceived exceeded $500 000.
The persons arrested yesterday will be detained overnight for further enquiries. Active investigations are underway.
Police remind the public that using false information in loan applications, not only has to hold responsible for the loans obtained, but also commits the criminal offences of "Fraud" and "Using a false instrument". Upon conviction, the maximum penalty for the offences is 14 years of imprisonment.
Police Report No. 18
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Friday, May 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 22:14
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