68 people arrested in an operation against telephone deception

Police arrested 50 men and 18 women, aged between 17 and 68, suspected of being involved in providing their bank accounts for money laundering of telephone deception proceeds during an operation codenamed "Youngdiver" mounted from November 13 to 17.

Following the discovery of a telephone deception syndicate in Wong Tai Sin in August this year, Police found that the modus operandi of such syndicates was to use other people's bank accounts to collect and launder the proceeds of telephone deceptions.

Further investigations revealed that such syndicates put advertisements on local newspapers targeting people seeking quick money. In response to the advertisements, these people will be told to open bank accounts for the syndicates to collect and launder the proceeds of telephone deceptions.

Officers from Regional Crime Unit of Kowloon East conducted an operation aimed at combating this kind of illegal activities. The operation was concluded today (November 17) with 210 locations raided, resulting the arrest of 50 men and 18 women for money laundering. All the arrestees have been put on Police bail pending further investigations.

Police stressed that money laundering is a serious offence and the maximum penalty would be 14 years' imprisonment and a fine of $5 million upon conviction. So far this year, 37 account-holders were convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment from four to 12 months.

On telephone deception cases, there were 1 409 reported cases with a total loss exceed $19.6 million by October this year.

Police remind members of the public, especially the elderly, to contact their family members or report to the Police immediately when they receive dubious telephone calls from people asking for large sums of money.


Add Police Report No. 3

Issued by PPRB

End/Friday, November 17, 2006