Hong Kong Cops Bust $1.4 Million Syndicate

Four people have been arrested by Hong Kong police; among them is a shocking discovery of a 14-year-old lad reportedly defrauding gullible victims with fake cash. With total losses of HK$11 million (US$1.4 million), this arrest represents a major turning point in an ongoing enquiry that has seen 14 individuals arrested since October last year, the South China Morning Post has reported.

Chief Inspector Lo Yuen-shan of the Commercial Crime Bureau announced on Sunday that the seven suspects, aged between 14 and 39, were charged with conspiracy to defraud, possession and use of 5,000 counterfeit banknotes. Lo underlined the syndicate’s well-organized structure and how clearly duties were allocated among the members to carry out their frauds.

Setting Up The Trap

The con artists set up bogus bitcoin exchanges meant to entice victims by procuring counterfeit money. The two operation’s masterminds found possible victims online under the pretense of respectable bitcoin investors. They drew gullible people to their fake exchange by running offers that eventually turned bogus.

Once victims were lured to the phony exchange, they were shown stacks of fake HK$1,000 cash. This visual deception was meant to persuade the victims of the validity of the transaction. Once the scammers gain their trust, they convinced them to complete online purchases. The suspects immediately transferred the cryptocurrencies out of the victims’ accounts, and never to be heard of again.

They’re Getting Younger

The arrest of a suspect who is just 14 years old highlights a concerning trend of young people who commit fraud. Senior Inspector Mak Wai-kwong stressed the need of young people being aware of the risks associated with dirty money. He warned the young minds not to be easily sweet-talked by giving away their personal and other details to the con men.

Senior Inspector Mak Wai-kwong (left) and Chief Inspector Lo Yuen-shan disclosed the arrests on Sunday. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong: Constant Work And Public Education

The fast response from Hong Kong shows how serious the penalties are for manufacturing, selling, or using fake money, which can lead to 14 years in jail. Inspector Mak advised caution while handling money, especially in the fast-changing cryptocurrency industry.

The Hong Kong cops are dedicated to keep looking for evidence in order to destroy such syndicates and guard the public against like-minded frauds. This event is a reminder of the dangers involved with crypto transactions, especially in relation to fresh and untested exchanges.

“The public must be careful and only engage with trustworthy and established sites for crypto transactions,” Mak urged. “The police will rigorously prosecute individuals who want to exploit the rising crypto industry through dishonest methods.”

Featured image from WeAreDevelopers, chart from TradingView