Attempted fraud of US$10b sees five arrested at Central bank

On Monday afternoon, five individuals, including a Filipino man and woman, were apprehended at a bank in Central for attempting to use forged documents to secure US$10 billion (approximately HK$78 billion).

The incident occurred around 5 pm yesterday (Feb 10) at a bank situated at China Building on Queen's Road Central. The group, comprising three men and two women, requested the bank staff to open an account with three Letters of Credit, claiming they needed US$10 billion as start-up capital.

Upon examination, staff discovered the documents were fraudulent, prompting the staff to contact the police.

Authorities arrived at the scene and arrested the five individuals on charges of using false instruments. The arrested parties include a 68-year-old Filipino man and a 38-year-old Filipino woman, who identified themselves as a businessman and a lawyer, respectively. Both had entered Hong Kong using their passports.

The other suspects are a 54-year-old Malaysian man named Cheng, a 64-year-old Taiwanese man named Tsai, and a 29-year-old woman named Tao, who entered Hong Kong on a Hong Kong and Macao Travel Permit. Cheng and Tsai claimed to be directors, while Tao identified herself as a secretary.

The Central Police District is continuing its investigation into the case.