Student accused in $3m scam using forged police IDs

Jamie Liu

A 19-year-old local student was arrested for forging Hong Kong police warrant cards in connection to at least 10 phone scams that swindled more than HK$3 million out of victims.

According to police, scammers would call victims, claiming to be mainland officials and accuse them of involvement in money laundering cases. They would meet with the victims, showing them the forged police warrant cards in a bid to collect a large sum of "surety." Scammers would demand payment in cash or bank transfers, and even bank account information.

After investigations, Tseung Kwan O police arrested a man, aged 19, for "obtaining property by deception."

Officers searched his residence and seized the fake police warrant cards, bogus mainland public security stamps and other items seen as tools for forgery.

jamie.liu@singtaonewscorp.com