Women jailed for counterfeit banknotes offences

Five female two-way permit holders were today (September 7) jailed for terms of between two and three years after appearing in the District Court on charges relating to counterfeit bank notes.

The case prompted warnings from the Police that passing or custody of counterfeit banknotes was a serious offence and offenders were liable to heavy penalties.

The court heard that officers of Police Commercial Crime Bureau arrested the women, aged between 22 and 32, outside a convenience store in Kowloon City on February 4. They seized 11 counterfeit $1,000 banknotes from one of the women, 32.

Investigations revealed that the women had purchased some goods from the convenience store and another food company in the same area. Two counterfeit $1,000 banknotes were later seized.

Three of the women had previously made purchases from a cake shop in Ngau Tau Kok and a fashion shop in Wong Tai Sin on December 31 last year.

The women were subsequently charged with passing counterfeit notes while the 32-year-old woman was also charged with custody of counterfeit notes.

They were convicted of the charges in the District Court on August 30 and the sentences were handed down today.

Police in Hong Kong have been actively taking action to combat counterfeit banknotes.


Police Report No. 6
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Friday, September 7, 2007