A duo scammed a victim by claiming that they could arrange a local work permit (colloquially known as “blue card”) for a relative of his, and defrauding a “meal voucher” seller by not paying her, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Chong Kam Leong said at a regular press conference yesterday.
Chong said that the 30-year-old local male suspect surnamed Ieong told the police that he’s jobless, while his female accomplice surnamed Fong is serving a prison term for previous scams.
According to Chong, one of the victims, surnamed Chu, reported to the police on August 19 that Fong told him in April that she could acquire a “blue card” for his relative from the mainland for 80,000 patacas. Wong said that Chu trusted Fong and soon deposited 68,600 patacas in her account. However, Chong said after the suspect received the money, she kept coming up with excuses and eventually told Chu that she had “transferred” his relative’s case to Ieong, her accomplice.
Chong said that later on Chu demanded his money back, but was rejected on the basis that his relative’s “application” was still being processed. Chong added that after Chu could not contact the duo anymore he decided to seek help from the police on August 19.
Chong noted that PJ officers discovered that the duo were also involved in another case. According to Chong, the other victim, surnamed Wu, reported to the police in May that two people never paid for the 22 “meal vouchers” worth 28,800 patacas she sold them. The duo were later identified by the police as Fong and Ieong.
Chong said that on Friday Ieong was arrested when he entered Macau through the Qingmao checkpoint. Under questioning, Ieong admitted that he never had the ability to acquire a local work permit for Chu, and he had already spent all the ill-gotten gains. Ieong was transferred on Friday to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), where he faces fraud charges.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Chong Kam Leong looks on during yesterday’s press conference. – Photo: William Chan