Trio jailed for using counterfeit credit cards 
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A 37-year-old Hong Kong man and two mainland women aged 28 and 36 were today (April 24) sentenced to imprisonment ranging from two years to two years and eight months in District Court.

The court heard that officers of the Commercial Crime Bureau acted on information and conducted an anti-counterfeit credit card operation in Central and Sheung Wan on August 14, 2007. The Hong Kong man was seen leading the two mainland women to purchase bird's nest and precious Chinese herbal medicine from various shops in Sheung Wan and Central by using credit cards to settle payments. 

The trio were subsequently intercepted in a business centre in Central and six counterfeit credit cards were found in their possession. 

Police enquiries revealed that the two mainland women arrived at Hong Kong on August 12, 2007 and conspired with the man to use counterfeit credit cards to fraudulently purchase valuable merchandizes at a total value of $39,000 in Sheung Shui, Sheung Wan and Central between August 13 and 14, 2007.  

After investigations, the trio were charged with 'Handling stolen goods', 'Using a false instrument' and 'Conspiracy to use False Instrument'. They were convicted on their own plea in the District Court and the sentences were handed down today.

Police Report No. 4 
Ends/Thursday, April 24, 2008
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