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Police New Territories North (NTN) Region conducted an operation codenamed "Blueday" yesterday (November 21) and today (November 22) to combat fraudulent claims of Traffic Accident Victim Assistance (TAVA). A total of 48 people were arrested so far for offences including fraud and conspiracy to defraud.
Early this year, Police made joint enquiry with the Social Welfare Department into a number of traffic accidents of similar nature and suspected that someone had deceived public funds. Indepth investigations were then conducted.
Follow-up enquiries by the Regional Crime Unit of NTN revealed that between mid-2008 and September 2010, a number of traffic accidents of similar nature occurred over the territory. Their commonalities included taking place at remote or suburban areas; involving one private car crashing into barriers or trees with minor damages; and drivers and passengers claiming to have sustained twisting injuries.
Subsequent investigations found that most injured persons in those accidents submitted falsified information to the Social Welfare Department, together with the sick leave certificates they obtained, in order to deceive TAVA, involving some $2.1 million.
Based on the investigation results and evidence collected, crime officers of NTN Region conducted an operation between November 21 and 22. A total of 48 people, including 44 men and 4 women aged between 16 and 54, were arrested so far for fraud. Amounts deceived by individual claims ranged from about $3,500 to $53,000. Five of the arrestees were believed to be the masterminds, who had arranged others to deceive TAVA, and were also arrested for conspiracy to defraud. The operation is still on-going and all arrestees are being detained.
A Police spokesman said that fraud and conspiracy to defraud are serious offences. Offenders who are convicted of either offence can be sentenced to a maximum imprisonment of 14 years. Police are determined to combat fraud involving public funds and urged members of the public not to commit such crimes due to a moment of greed.
Police Report No.12
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Monday, November 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:14
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