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Police has successfully made its application to the District Court today (January 23) to confiscate and compensate crime proceeds of over $6 million from a money laundering syndicate.
Police smashed an international money laundering syndicate in which victims were contacted by a 34-year-old man through unsolicited emails and were induced by way of promise of handsome commission if they could assist to remit an inheritance out of a foreign country. Victims were requested to pay him various administrative fees in advance to facilitate the remittance.
Officers of Fraud Division of Commercial Crime Bureau arrested the 34-year-old man in October 2007 and a Restraint and Charging Order was granted by the High Court on June 24, 2008 for restraining the assets of the man. He was later convicted three counts of charges in money laundering and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment on September 9, 2008.
Confiscation Order under the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance and Compensation Orders under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance were granted by the District Court today. Under the orders granted, an additional four years﷿ imprisonment will be imposed if he fails to comply with the orders.
Police appealed to the members of the public to be cautious when they receive any unsolicited offers by means of promising rewards on payment of any advanced fee. The public is strongly advised not to respond to such offers and anyone who has come across such similar suspected fraud cases are advised to make a report to the Police.
Police Report No. 7
Ends/Friday, January 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:41
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