ICAC assists FBI in cracking contraband Microsoft software smuggling case
2000-7-19
At the request of the authorities of the United States, the ICAC has deployed undercover officers to assist the US Customs Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in investigating alleged smuggling of 15,000 counterfeit Microsoft computer s oftware, worth HK$30 million, from Hong Kong to Los Angeles.
The US investigation, which has been on-going since September last year, has resulted in the arrest of five persons in Los Angeles on July 8, 2000.
The US authorities were following up on complaints that a senior customs officer might have accepted bribes for referring suspects under the investigation of US Customs to a lawyer.
The senior US Customs officer, the lawyer and three other persons were arrested by US federal agents as they were about to receive 10,000 counterfeit copies of Microsoft Office at a LA port.
ICAC undercover officers had infiltrated into a criminal syndicate and helped collect evidence in Hong Kong. The 10,000 copies of contraband software were shipped by the undercover agents from Hong Kong to LA. The shipment contained bogus certificates of authenticity and packaging.
The US investigation, which has been on-going since September last year, has resulted in the arrest of five persons in Los Angeles on July 8, 2000.
The US authorities were following up on complaints that a senior customs officer might have accepted bribes for referring suspects under the investigation of US Customs to a lawyer.
The senior US Customs officer, the lawyer and three other persons were arrested by US federal agents as they were about to receive 10,000 counterfeit copies of Microsoft Office at a LA port.
ICAC undercover officers had infiltrated into a criminal syndicate and helped collect evidence in Hong Kong. The 10,000 copies of contraband software were shipped by the undercover agents from Hong Kong to LA. The shipment contained bogus certificates of authenticity and packaging.