Five jailed for street deception
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     Three men and two women, aged from 29 to 43, were sentenced at the District Court today (April 2) to imprisonments ranging from two and a half years to five years for street deception offences. 

     On August 23, 2007, officers from Commercial Crime Bureau mounted an operation against street deception in Chai Wan. Three persons were found approaching a 67-year-old woman and gave a false representation with a view to lure this woman to get them cash and jewellery with a total value of $50,000 for spiritual blessing. At the same time, two other men were also found in the vicinity to watch out for the Police. All of them were arrested by officers at the scene. 

     After investigation, it was also revealed that one of the defendants, a 34-year-old woman, was also involved in another street deception case in Tuen Mun on April 24, 2007 in which a 52-year-old woman was lured to surrender $166,000 cash and jewellery.

     All five defendants were later jointly charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud while the 34-year-old woman was also charged with one count of obtaining property by deception.  They pleaded guilty to the charges yesterday (April 1) and the sentence was handed down today.

     Police called on members of the public to be cautious and to discuss with their family members before making any decisions about taking out their valuables for blessing.  

Police Report No.3
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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