Three arrested for swindling 12 residents out of HK$710,000 worth of luxury goods in check fraud cases

Hong Kong police have arrested three people from a fraud syndicate suspected of swindling 12 residents out of HK$710,000 worth of luxury goods by using bad checks.

The police force said among the three arrested during an operation on May 27, two are believed to be ringleaders of the syndicate.

The force said they received reports from the 12 victims between March 25 and May 23. It is understood that members of the syndicate posed as interested buyers and contacted the victims on online shopping platforms to express an interest in buying products such as handbags and watches.

After reaching a deal online, face-to-face transactions were arranged, with swindlers depositing non-cashable checks through automated teller machines to create the impression that the money had been transferred, in a bid to trick the victims into handing over the items.

A police spokesman said of the HK$710,000 worth of luxury goods lost by the victims, the most valuable item was a Rolex watch worth around HK$185,000.

The spokesman said an investigation is ongoing and the possibility of further arrests has not been ruled out. 

Members of the public were reminded to check the available balance in their bank accounts to make sure the transactions have gone through, before committing to a trade.

According to Hong Kong law, conspiracy to defraud is an offense punishable by up to 14 years in jail.