A recent investigation by the police found that illegal persons were operating counterfeit money exchange shops and manufacturing counterfeit banknotes, so arrests were initiated. Four persons were suspected of manufacturing counterfeit banknotes and obtaining property by deception, and seized a large number of counterfeit 1,000 yuan banknotes.
He Enjie, a senior inspector of the Commercial Crime Bureau, said that there were two victims in the case and a total loss of about 8 million Hong Kong dollars. The police received reports from two victims earlier that they arrived at two money changers in Sham Shui Po and Mong Kok on November 7 last year and January 3 this year to conduct a large exchange of RMB for Hong Kong dollars. According to the clerk's instructions, about 2.6 million yuan and about 4.5 million yuan were deposited into two designated mainland bank accounts, but the clerk was unable to deliver the corresponding Hong Kong dollar with different excuses. The victim suspected that he was deceived and called for help .
The police intervened and found that the two money changers did not hold valid money operator service licenses, and the business registration certificate and money dealer service licenses in the stores were counterfeit. In the Yuan, commonly known as "exercise coupons", 2600 counterfeit banknotes of the same type were found in the Sham Shui Po change shop. Police earlier arrested two men and a woman, a 36-year-old local woman with a surname of Huang, a 26-year-old man named He Mainland and a 38-year-old The surname is Huang, a local man. The roles of the three are to change the shop staff and introduce the victim to the change shop to trade.
28-year-old key member of police group detained
Police investigations revealed that money changers would show the victims counterfeit banknotes to show that they were able to complete large transactions, thus gaining trust. The two money changers were operated by the same fraud group. After thorough investigation, the police locked a 28-year-old The man is a key member. The police arrested him at the man's Changshawan residence this morning (17th). Tools for manufacturing counterfeit banknotes, 331 1,000 yuan counterfeit banknotes, a large number of semi-manufactured counterfeit banknotes, fake business registration certificates, a metal Telescopic sticks, etc. The arrested man is being detained for investigation on charges of "obtaining property by deception", "making counterfeit banknotes", "possessing forged documents" and "possessing offensive weapons". The police are still investigating the case and do not rule out more arrests.
Police said. The counterfeit banknotes seized in the case were very inferior and did not have anti-counterfeiting functions. Some even printed the words "exercise coupons". It is easy to distinguish the authenticity by careful attention. Police said that the addresses of the two money changers did not match the business registration addresses, and one of them began operation in April 2019. The two money changers did not work as normal money changers. They did not accept street customers. They only accepted guests introduced by members of the group. They attracted guests at preferential rates. In the process, the customers were not exposed to counterfeit banknotes, and the victims knew through a new acquaintance. Money changers exist.
Police urge members of the public not to take it lightly when looking for renewed banknotes, and to carefully check the security features of the banknotes, including window-type metal wires, moving photosensitive bright patterns, and bumpy feel. The counterfeit banknotes commonly known as "exercise books" seized by the police this time did not have any of the above-mentioned anti-counterfeiting features, and some were even printed with the words "exercise certificates". If the public pays more attention, it will be easy to distinguish. Citizens should not try it if they receive counterfeit banknotes, otherwise they will have the opportunity to commit offences under Chapter 200 of the Crimes Ordinance, the use or exercise of counterfeit banknotes, and the maximum penalty is 14 years' imprisonment. Police urge citizens to use reputable money changers or banks if they need to exchange foreign currency. Before using the money changer, you can also use the customs' online money service operator license system to confirm whether the money changer holds the relevant license. If you have any doubts, please call the Police's "Anti-Fraud" consultation hotline 18222 for enquiries.
