Men arrested for posing as Customs officers to collect bribes
2000-3-10
A former police constable and an unemployed man, who allegedly posed as Customs and Excise officers and solicited monthly protection fees from an illegal oil station, were arrested and detained by the ICAC.
The suspects were caught red-handed by ICAC officers last night after they took $4,000 from the operator of an oil station at Tai Tong Shan Road in Yuen Long.
The ICAC had earlier received information which alleged corruption involving Customs and Excise officers.
Inquiries subsequently revealed that a former policeman, 24, and another man, 25, had plotted to swindle “ protection fees ” by posing as Customs and Excise officers.
The two suspects first visited the illegal oil station on Wednesday. They allegedly solicited a monthly bribe of $6,000 to offer protection to its illegal activities.
The duo, who allegedly produced purported warrant cards, took more than $1,000 from a worker at the station, claiming that it would be treated as an initial payment for the protection fee.
When the suspects collected the remaining $4,000 from the operator at the station last night, they were arrested by ICAC officers.
During the operation, ICAC officers also seized a number of photographs showing the suspects dressed in purported law enforcement officers' uniforms.
An ICAC spokesman urged the public to report to the Commission if they have been recently approached by people who claimed to be law enforcement officers and solicited advantages. They may ring ICAC's Report Centre 24-hour hotline 2526 6366.
The suspects were caught red-handed by ICAC officers last night after they took $4,000 from the operator of an oil station at Tai Tong Shan Road in Yuen Long.
The ICAC had earlier received information which alleged corruption involving Customs and Excise officers.
Inquiries subsequently revealed that a former policeman, 24, and another man, 25, had plotted to swindle “ protection fees ” by posing as Customs and Excise officers.
The two suspects first visited the illegal oil station on Wednesday. They allegedly solicited a monthly bribe of $6,000 to offer protection to its illegal activities.
The duo, who allegedly produced purported warrant cards, took more than $1,000 from a worker at the station, claiming that it would be treated as an initial payment for the protection fee.
When the suspects collected the remaining $4,000 from the operator at the station last night, they were arrested by ICAC officers.
During the operation, ICAC officers also seized a number of photographs showing the suspects dressed in purported law enforcement officers' uniforms.
An ICAC spokesman urged the public to report to the Commission if they have been recently approached by people who claimed to be law enforcement officers and solicited advantages. They may ring ICAC's Report Centre 24-hour hotline 2526 6366.