The Criminal Division of New Territories South Region launched a technology crime operation code-named "Shallow Shore" and arrested 98 puppet account holders. They were suspected of laundering the criminal proceeds of 74 online deceptions involving HK$38 million.
Police Superintendent Chen Zhichang shared his experience at the press conference, feeling that phone scams are common: "I have received a lot of these calls recently, and I have received one before I wrote down the trick... and I have tried some calls The system can tell me my full name immediately." He advised the public to hang up the line immediately after receiving a suspicious call, so as to avoid "dumping it again so that they have a chance to fall into the trap of fraud."
Superintendent Chen Zhichang of the Criminal Department of New Territories South Region first described the case, saying that in the past week (December 12 to 20), the New Territories South Region launched a technology crime attack called "Shallow Shore" and solved 74 cases. Including online shopping, investment, job hunting, online love scams and naked chatting blackmail, etc.
The police arrested 61 people on suspicion of "obtaining property by deception", "conspiracy to defraud", "handling property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable crime" (commonly known as "money laundering") and "extortion" There were 37 men and 37 women, aged between 18 and 76. All the arrested persons were puppet account holders, and the total loss involved amounted to HK$38 million.
During the operation, the police seized 4 bank cards and 27 mobile phones.
Superintendent Chen Zhichang (middle) of the New Territories South Regional Criminal Division shared his experience, feeling that phone scams are common: "I have received a lot of these calls recently, and I received one just before I made a note." He suggested that the public Immediately disconnect the line after receiving a suspicious call to avoid "dumping it again so that I have a chance to fall into the trap of fraud." (Photo by Ma Yaowen)
The arrested persons were all puppet account holders who were lured into opening bank accounts or selling their own personal accounts to criminals in order to launder the criminal proceeds of various technological crimes.
Chen Zhichang reminded the public that as an account holder, claiming that he did not know that the account was used for money laundering is not exempt from responsibility; as long as the account holder is used for money laundering regardless of the reason, once convicted, he will face years of imprisonment.
Chen Zhichang also shared his own experience, "It's not just that citizens will receive these (fraud) calls. I myself have received a lot of these calls recently." He feels that phone scams are common: "Just keep in mind I have received one before... and I have tried some calls, and my full name can be told immediately.” He advised the public to hang up the line immediately after receiving a suspicious call, so as to avoid “dumping it again to give yourself a chance to fall. Fall into the trap of deception."
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