æ’²æ» ç½ªè¡Œå§”å“¡æœƒFight Crime Committee - 保安局

Pyramid Scheme Fraud
3.10 Between 2001 and 2008, Police arrested a total of 59 persons for
their involvement in Pyramid Scheme Fraud. There had been no reported case
of Pyramid Scheme Fraud since February 2006, not until the end of 2009. In the
end of 2009, 2 suspected pyramid scheme fraud cases, which involved
11 victims with 3 persons arrested, were reported. The losses involved were
$0.58 million. Investigations of the two cases are ongoing.
3.11 Successful prosecutions over the years have sent a clear message to
the public that such schemes are illegal. Proactive police action will continue,
including the continued close monitoring of 7 companies known to be involved
in promoting pyramid selling schemes. Although there has been no indication of
illegal activities up to the end of 2009, CCB will continue to closely monitor
these companies.
Modelling Agency Fraud
3.12 The Police received complaints against 4 companies suspected of
Modelling Agency Fraud in 2009, as compared to 3 companies in 2008.
However, the reported losses decreased significantly from approximately
$0.14 million in 2008 to $0.09 million in 2009. The 17 victims concerned were
persuaded to purchase beauty packages before they could be offered any
modelling jobs. Relevant figures are as follows –
2008 2009 % Change
No. of Companies Complained 3 4 +33.3%
No. of Victims 16 17 +6.3%
Total Reported Losses
($ million)
0.14 0.09 –35.7%
3.13 Prosecution for this type of cases can be difficult as victims have
signed contracts and bought the products at their own free will. For this reason,
the Police will continue to focus on the cultivation of intelligence in relation to
such activities. Regular publicity campaigns will also be organised as a
preventive measure.
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