A highly organized criminal syndicate, responsible for a series of thefts and large-scale fraudulent credit card transactions across Hong Kong between September and December, has been dismantled. The Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Headquarters arrested seven local men (aged 30–60) on Dec. 12–13 in connection with 22 solved cases involving over HK$4 million.
The syndicate operated a three-stage process: pickpockets stole credit cards from wallets in crowded areas like sports grounds and cafes, often leaving the wallets behind to avoid immediate detection. Intermediaries then distributed the cards to other members, who swiftly made large purchases at luxury stores, sometimes spending hundreds of thousands per transaction to max out credit limits.
Police pieced together the syndicate's activities by reviewing extensive CCTV footage from public and private sources. They identified roles including pickpockets, intermediaries, and fraudulent buyers, tracing their move routes and spending patterns.
Reminding the public that theft and fraud carry maximum sentences of 10 and 14 years, respectively, police urged vigilance in crowded places and immediate reporting of lost or stolen cards. Retailers were advised to verify cardholders' identities for large transactions and report suspicious behavior.
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