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In a second case, two Turkish male tourists were discovered operating a
transnational “ATM” Fraud syndicate and were arrested on 5 July 2009. Both
were subsequently convicted of “Conspiracy to steal” in the District Court on
17 December 2009 and sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment respectively.
The severe sentencing in these two cases helped send a strong deterrent message
to counterfeit payment card fraudsters. Relevant figures are as follows –
2008 2009 % Change
Total Counterfeit Payment Cards surfaced 645 715 +10.9%
Seized in proactive operations 456 375 –17.8%
No. of arrestees 79 97 +22.8%
3.36 Counterfeit Payment Card Fraud is transnational in nature. Most
counterfeit payment cards available to criminals in Hong Kong are believed to
be manufactured outside Hong Kong and usually carry account data from the
United States, Europe and South East Asia. Syndicates from different countries
apparently collaborate in the furtherance of Counterfeit Payment Card Crime.
Hong Kong is used as a transit point or place for “utterers” to make fraudulent
purchases. The Police liaise with the card industry and overseas counterparts
regularly in order to contain the distribution of counterfeit payment cards in the
territory.
Conclusion
3.37 The Police mounted a number of successful intelligence-led
operations and secured convictions in different areas of commercial crime
throughout 2009. A downward trend was noted in most types of commercial
crime especially in the counterfeit Hong Kong banknote and CNY banknote
seizures. The FCC noted that the Police would continue their efforts in
combating all types of syndicated fraudulent activities in Hong Kong.
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