Man and woman jailed for conspiracy to defraud
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A 48-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were today (July 14) jailed for conspiracy to defraud at the District Court.

The male defendant, the director of a travel agency, was jailed for 34 months, and the female defendant was given a 14-month sentence.

In early February 2007, the man closed his travel agency business. The Travel Agents Registry became suspicious and the case was then referred to Police's Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB).

Following extensive investigations, the man was found to have conspired with other branch managers of his company to collect money from customers shortly before the closure, and knowing that the company was unable to provide the service for which the customers had paid. The total amount involved was around $150,000.

The court was told that between February 2005 and January 2007, the woman had conducted 76 fraudulent credit card transactions at the travel agency, involving a total of $1.44 million.

The defendants were arrested by officers of CCB in February and March 2007. Both were charged with conspiracy to defraud. They were convicted and the sentence was handed down today.

Police reminded the public that any person who collects payment for goods or service while knowing that he cannot deliver the same, is criminally liable. In addition, the use of credit card for payment without genuine underlying transaction is also an offence.

Police Report No. 2
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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