Online scams │ fake papers, fake cheques, $ 8 million masks, 14 people, the finest 15 years old

Burst

Written by: Shao Peilin, Huang Weimin

2020-03-14 11:55

Scammers cheat goods with fake bank documents! Police have noticed recently that scammers cheated online sellers' goods with invalid checks and fake bank stubs. Detectives of the Commercial Crime Bureau cracked down on criminal groups in an intelligence-based manner in March this year. The arrest operation, code-named "Operational Benchmark", was launched from 9 to 13 this month. At least 41 cases were involved and the total value of the fraudulent products was over HK $ 8 million. Detectives arrested 12 men and 2 women, aged 15 to 51, in multiple districts. Among them, 2 men believed to be the mastermind of the syndicate, and some of the arrested had a triad background.

During the operation, the agents seized about 500,000 yuan worth of stolen goods, including cash, mobile phones, laptops, watches, clothing, thermal needles and a large number of masks. (Photo by Huang Weimin)

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Scam group members look for "prey" online

Li Weijun, acting superintendent of the Commercial Crime Investigation Division, said that six of them have been charged and the rest have been detained for investigation, which does not rule out more arrests. During the operation, the agents seized about 500,000 yuan worth of stolen goods, including a large number of masks, heat probes, mobile phones, laptops, watches, clothing and cash. And cell phones, computers, and printers used by scammers.

Deng Guoxuan, a senior inspector of the Commercial Crime Investigation Division, said that the group involved in the operation began in October last year and its division of labor was very careful. Some members will look for "prey" on the online platform. The main target is merchants selling expensive products. The scammer will remit money to the seller through the ticketing machine with invalid or lost cheques, fine denomination bank cash coupons, and then defraud the goods.

During the operation, the agents seized about 500,000 yuan worth of stolen goods, including cash, mobile phones, laptops, watches, clothing, thermal needles and a large number of masks. (Photo by Huang Weimin)

Dress up as "deposit money" to cheat refund

In addition, the scammer will forge fake bank documents and send it to the seller with a photo of the mobile phone, claiming that the transfer has been completed, and then arranges for "run the leg" to collect the goods, and then sell them for cash. Deng Guoxuan pointed out that although some sellers saw the bank transfer notice, they had to wait for the check to be transferred instead of real-time cash transfer. However, the check eventually became invalid. "The bank will notify the bomber and the seller will get any money." Some scammers even called themselves “depositing more money” and required the seller to return the money to the designated e-wallet account, causing heavy losses to the seller. Deng Guoxuan said that the criminal group recruited people who wanted to “quick money” and asked them to provide information such as identity cards, and then opened an electronic wallet to receive stolen money.

Ke Yongen, senior inspector of the Commercial Crime Investigation Division, called on citizens to be careful when dealing with transactions. In order to avoid being deceived by false documents, check with the bank to see if the transaction has been completed and make sure the transaction has passed. In addition, the public should not provide ID cards and electronic wallets. Personal information such as hukou.

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