11 arrested for defrauding goods valued at HK$640,000 with 'training banknotes'

Police arrested 11 individuals for defrauding high-value goods using a total of HK$640,000 in practice notes – a tool used by bank staff to practice counting banknotes.

The suspects, seven men and four women aged between 20 and 50, allegedly found sellers of luxury watches and liquor on online platforms and arranged meetings at a shared office for the trade.

The suspects then present the victim with a pile of HK$500 banknotes arranged with genuine notes on the outside and the training notes hidden underneath.

They then fled the office under the pretense of preparing documents, while the victims realized they had been scammed when they waited in vain or checked the banknotes.

Following reports from the three victims in August, the police arrested the 11 during an operation from November 12 to 14. All suspects have been released on bail pending investigation.