Man jailed for role in manufacturing counterfeit credit cards
2006-11-20
A man, charged by the ICAC, was today (Monday) sentenced to an imprisonment of two years and five months at the District Court for his involvement in manufacturing counterfeit credit cards, after voluntarily returning from Malaysia to Hong Kong to face pr osecution.
Andrew Lam Kwok-hung, 50, unemployed, today pleaded guilty to one count of possessing equipment for making false instruments. Another similar charge against him was ordered to be left on court file.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Amanda Jane Woodcock said Lam had committed a serious offence, which might undermine the interests of banks and financial institutions.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint in relation to the manufacturing of counterfeit credit cards.
ICAC enquiries revealed that Lam and Cheung Chi-chuen were involved in the manufacture of counterfeit credit cards.
In April 1998, Cheung, whilst residing in Canada, contacted Lam for purchasing several hundreds of blank plastic cards for Cheung to make counterfeit credit cards in Hong Kong.
Cheung further asked Lam to arrange for the provision of materials and other equipment for making the counterfeit cards.
After arriving in Hong Kong from Canada, Cheung obtained the equipment for manufacturing counterfeit cards from Lam.
On July 10, 1998, ICAC officers intercepted Cheung in a hotel after he collected a paper bag from Lam. 286 blank plastic cards were found inside the paper bag.
Lam was arrested by ICAC officers in November 1998. When interviewed under caution, Lam admitted his involvement in the case.
It was estimated that had the blank plastic cards seized in the case been converted to counterfeit credit cards, they could cause a potential loss of $8.8 million to the banking industry, the court was told.
After his arrest, Lam was charged and brought to Eastern Magistracy for mention.
Lam subsequently absconded while on court bail. The court issued a warrant for his arrest. His bail money of $100,000 and surety of $30,000 were subsequently estreated.
In May 2005, Lam was arrested by the Malaysian Police in Kuala Lumpur at the request of the Hong Kong Government.
Lam then decided to waive extradition proceedings, and returned to Hong Kong to face prosecution in January this year.
Cheung was charged for his role in the case, and was sentenced to a jail term of four years and two months in September 1998.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel John Dunn, assisted by ICAC officer Johnny Yau.
Andrew Lam Kwok-hung, 50, unemployed, today pleaded guilty to one count of possessing equipment for making false instruments. Another similar charge against him was ordered to be left on court file.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Amanda Jane Woodcock said Lam had committed a serious offence, which might undermine the interests of banks and financial institutions.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint in relation to the manufacturing of counterfeit credit cards.
ICAC enquiries revealed that Lam and Cheung Chi-chuen were involved in the manufacture of counterfeit credit cards.
In April 1998, Cheung, whilst residing in Canada, contacted Lam for purchasing several hundreds of blank plastic cards for Cheung to make counterfeit credit cards in Hong Kong.
Cheung further asked Lam to arrange for the provision of materials and other equipment for making the counterfeit cards.
After arriving in Hong Kong from Canada, Cheung obtained the equipment for manufacturing counterfeit cards from Lam.
On July 10, 1998, ICAC officers intercepted Cheung in a hotel after he collected a paper bag from Lam. 286 blank plastic cards were found inside the paper bag.
Lam was arrested by ICAC officers in November 1998. When interviewed under caution, Lam admitted his involvement in the case.
It was estimated that had the blank plastic cards seized in the case been converted to counterfeit credit cards, they could cause a potential loss of $8.8 million to the banking industry, the court was told.
After his arrest, Lam was charged and brought to Eastern Magistracy for mention.
Lam subsequently absconded while on court bail. The court issued a warrant for his arrest. His bail money of $100,000 and surety of $30,000 were subsequently estreated.
In May 2005, Lam was arrested by the Malaysian Police in Kuala Lumpur at the request of the Hong Kong Government.
Lam then decided to waive extradition proceedings, and returned to Hong Kong to face prosecution in January this year.
Cheung was charged for his role in the case, and was sentenced to a jail term of four years and two months in September 1998.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel John Dunn, assisted by ICAC officer Johnny Yau.