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Police and Consumption Voucher Scheme Secretariat jointly detect deception cases related to consumption vouchers
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     Police Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) in collaboration with the Consumption Voucher Scheme Secretariat (Secretariat) mounted two rounds of operation codenamed “DASHWHEEL” in June and December respectively and arrested 48 persons in connection with around 300 deception cases related to the consumption vouchers.

     Investigation revealed that some criminals submitted applications to the Secretariat to change the registrations of the stored value facility (SVF) accounts for receiving the consumption vouchers and the phone numbers for receiving SMS notifications through submitting copies of other persons’ identity card and the personal information of other people. The Secretariat has an established mechanism, in which SMS notifications will be sent to both the original and the newly registered telephone numbers of the registrants to alert them on the change. However, if the notifications were ignored, criminals might take the opportunity to change the designated SVF account to another and losses might occur.

     After receiving reports from members of the public who failed to collect the consumption vouchers and referrals from the Secretariat on suspicious cases, CCB commenced in-depth investigation and targeted a crime syndicate. In the first round of Operation "DASHWHEEL" conducted in June, eight males and four females, aged 16 to 46, were arrested. In most cases, the crime syndicate suspectedly sent young people to purchase phones or cash out the consumption vouchers at shops in conspiracy with the crime syndicate, using the consumption vouchers deceived by means mentioned above.

     CCB later identified more suspects and mounted the second round of Operation "DASHWHEEL" between December 19 and 21. A total of 36 persons, including 21 males and 15 females, aged 16 to 72, were arrested for fraud and handling stolen goods. Investigation is underway and further arrests may be made.

     During the investigation, Police have been working closely with the Secretariat to obtain the amendment records relating to the cases, analyse the relevant information, trace the transaction records of consumption vouchers obtained by deceptive means and view a large quantity of CCTV footages. Police eventually identified the suspects and conducted the arrest operation.

     Police and the Secretariat appeal to the public to stay vigilant in protecting their own personal information, including the copy, number and issue date of their Hong Kong Identity Cards, the registration reference number of their consumption vouchers and the account number of SVF for receiving vouchers. If a SMS notification is received on the change of SVF account while no such request has been made, members of the public are advised to contact the Secretariat for clarification and make a report to the Police immediately.

     Police also maintain close contact with the Secretariat and SVF operators on information exchange, as well as the prevention and investigation of relevant crimes. For the confirmed cases on the misappropriation of consumption vouchers, the Secretariat will arrange re-disbursement of the vouchers to the registrants. If in doubt, members of the public should call the Police's "Anti-Scam Helpline18222" or visit "ADCC One-stop Platform" (www.adcc.gov.hk) for the latest anti-deception information.

     Police reiterate that fraud and handling stolen goods are serious offences. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment. Members of the public are reminded not to defy the law.
 
Ends/Friday, December 23, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:54
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