Duo jailed for card fraud causing $750,000 losses to banks
2001-11-16
An unemployed man was sentenced to four years' imprisonment at District Court today (Friday) for his involvement in a counterfeit credit card scam which caused $750,000 losses to local banks, while his associate was jailed for 16 months.
Wong Tin-yuen, 25, earlier pleaded guilty to four offences, including the possession of equipment for manufacturing false credit cards, and Hong Kong Identity Cards relating to others.
Wong's associate, Chan Ho-yi, had helped Wong utter two counterfeit credit cards in obtaining various merchandise from local retailers. She earlier pleaded guilty to seven counts of using a false instrument.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Peter White said the scam was well planned by the defendants, who warranted immediate custodial sentences.
The ICAC commenced investigation after receiving information alleging that a criminal syndicate was engaged in manufacturing and uttering counterfeit credit cards, with the corrupt assistance from some staff members of restaurants and nightclubs.
Wong was arrested on July 15, 2001 at his residence, where ICAC officers uncovered 450 plastic cards, each with a magnetic tape; three plastic cards, each with a magnetic tape and printed characters; a skimmer; two encoders, two computers and six Hong Kon g Identity Cards relating to other persons.
The ICAC's Computer Forensics and Research and Development Section successfully retrieved credit card data from the two computers seized.
Relevant card issuing companies confirmed that they were credit card data relating to 92 genuine credit card accounts, of which 22 had been used to manufacture counterfeit cards, causing $750,000 losses to the banks.
The court heard that Chan, who had been recruited by Wong to utter two counterfeit credit cards, received $5,000 as a reward.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Vinci Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Heath Cheung.
Wong Tin-yuen, 25, earlier pleaded guilty to four offences, including the possession of equipment for manufacturing false credit cards, and Hong Kong Identity Cards relating to others.
Wong's associate, Chan Ho-yi, had helped Wong utter two counterfeit credit cards in obtaining various merchandise from local retailers. She earlier pleaded guilty to seven counts of using a false instrument.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Peter White said the scam was well planned by the defendants, who warranted immediate custodial sentences.
The ICAC commenced investigation after receiving information alleging that a criminal syndicate was engaged in manufacturing and uttering counterfeit credit cards, with the corrupt assistance from some staff members of restaurants and nightclubs.
Wong was arrested on July 15, 2001 at his residence, where ICAC officers uncovered 450 plastic cards, each with a magnetic tape; three plastic cards, each with a magnetic tape and printed characters; a skimmer; two encoders, two computers and six Hong Kon g Identity Cards relating to other persons.
The ICAC's Computer Forensics and Research and Development Section successfully retrieved credit card data from the two computers seized.
Relevant card issuing companies confirmed that they were credit card data relating to 92 genuine credit card accounts, of which 22 had been used to manufacture counterfeit cards, causing $750,000 losses to the banks.
The court heard that Chan, who had been recruited by Wong to utter two counterfeit credit cards, received $5,000 as a reward.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Vinci Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Heath Cheung.