RCU NTN makes a dent in online auction scams
The rapid development of Internet in recent years has given rise to prevalence of fraud cases of online auction and shopping activities. A total of 391 reports of online business fraud were received between January and June this year, up 98 reports or an increase of 33 per cent compared with the same period last year.
To tackle the problems, the Regional Crime Unit 2 of New Territories North (RCU 2 NTN) has been, since November last year, coordinating investigation of frauds arising from main online auction platforms and discussion forum, in support of what the Technology Crime Division of Commercial Crime Bureau has been doing to combat the crime.
RCU 2 NTN probed 230 cases of online auction scams between November 1 last year and July 31 this year with several operations codenamed "HILLFINDER". As a result, 34 persons have been arrested in connection with 131 cases. The total loss involved amounted to $560 000.
Recently, a man was convicted of cheating 39 victims out of $40 000 by claiming to have various goods to sell to them via the auction websites in January this year. Besides imposing a jail term, the court also ordered the defendant to make a full compensation to all victims.
As swindlers also trick sellers into sending merchandise overseas, RCU 2 NTN has worked out a mechanism with Hongkong Post and some major express delivery agencies in Hong Kong to trace and intercept items deceived in order to reduce the losses suffered by victims. So far this year, RCU 2 NTN has recovered and returned to 10 victims the goods worth $30 000 they had mailed overseas.
In the fields of publicity and education, short films on the modus operandi frequently adopted by swindlers as well as crime prevention messages are screened on "Police Magazine". In support of this measure, NTN Regional Crime Prevention Office has produced leaflets and posters on online auction fraud and launched a series of publicity and education activities. Furthermore, with the assistance of School Liaison Officers in the Region, NTN Regional Crime Headquarters will conduct talks on combating online auction crimes in over 20 secondary and primary schools during the current academic year.
RCU 2 NTN's success in investigating online auction scams has aroused much interest in the community. With the arrangement made by the Police Public Relations Branch on August 31, representatives from eight newspapers interviewed the officers responsible for coordinating operations and investigation. During the interview, Superintendent (Operations) Choy Wai-fu, Chief Inspector Chim Tak-ming of RCU 2 NTN and Senior Inspector Wong Chi-ming of RCU 2B NTN gave a detailed account of the establishment of a Task Force, case breakdown, swindlers' common modus operandi, police strategies and success of enforcement actions. The stories were published on September 5.
SP
Choy
(centre), CIP Chim (left) and SIP Wong speak to the media about
online auction fraud