Fake HK university IDs sold online for as little as RMB63

A concerning trend of counterfeit Hong Kong university student identification cards being sold on Chinese e-commerce platform Pinduoduo has emerged, with sellers offering customized fake IDs for as little as RMB63 with next-day shipping.

The issue came to light after a social media user posted on Threads about merchants on Pinduoduo offering customized student IDs from Hong Kong institutions.

The shared images included convincing forgeries from the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and City University of Hong Kong, complete with student photos, identification numbers, and fields of study.

Our reporter posed as a customer to inquire about the customization process from one merchant. The seller requested the school name, portrait photo, student name, student number, expiration date, and field of study.

After submitting AI-generated student photos and fabricated details, the merchant accepted the order and directed the reporter to make payment.

The seller claimed the products were merely "appearance cards" intended for "collection and commemorative purposes," noting they could not be used for swiping access. However, they also boasted that the replicas were highly realistic and that previous customers had found them indistinguishable from genuine IDs.

Customer reviews on the platform revealed various intended uses, with one buyer commenting they were "very satisfied, it feels exactly like the real thing," while another buyer of an HKU student card mentioned hoping to "use it for travel in Egypt."

The phenomenon follows last month's police arrest of four individuals involved in producing over 600 fake student cards to fraudulently obtain student discounts from Apple stores. 

During that operation, police seized the counterfeit IDs and HK$570,000 worth of electronic products.

Barrister Albert Luk Wai-hung warned that producing or using fake student identification constitutes a serious criminal offense regardless of the financial benefit gained.

"Whether used to purchase computers, student meals, or discounted travel tickets, all these scenarios involve using false instruments," Luk said.

He emphasized that even possessing such fakes for "collection" or as "movie props" could potentially be considered possession of false documents under the law.

The two primary offenses involved are fraud and possession of false instruments, both carrying maximum penalties of 14 years' imprisonment. For those conspiring together, additional charges of conspiracy to defraud may apply.

Penalties would depend on the financial benefit gained and victims' losses, Luk explained, ranging from heavier sentences for scams involving expensive electronics to lighter penalties for saving small amounts on meals, though all convictions would result in a criminal record.

(Marco Lam)