Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Lei Chi Hou said during a regular press conference yesterday that a man from the mainland has been arrested for his involvement in a “practice banknote” deception case, scamming the victim out of 94,000 yuan (106,000 patacas) in online bank transfers.
The suspect is a 35-year-old male surnamed He. He told the police that he works as a security guard.
According to Lei, on Monday He arranged a deal with a mainland male visitor at a Zape hotel. The agreement entailed the victim transferring 94,000 yuan to an account designated by He who was to provide the victim with HK$100,000 in cash in return. Once the victim completed the yuan transfer to He through online banking, He immediately ditched his backpack and started to run away.
The victim managed to intercept He and promptly reported the case to the police. Subsequently, police apprehended He and discovered more than 200 practice notes in Huang’s backpack.
Under questioning, He claimed that he had been hired by “someone” in Zhuhai to carry out the scheme in Macau. He also said that he had been promised a “commission” of 6,000 yuan if he would have successfully completed the deal.
He has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), facing a fraud charge, Lei said.
A practice banknote is generally similar in size, shape and colour to circulating banknotes. It is used for training bank tellers, cashiers and staff at currency exchanges, according to Wikipedia.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Lei Chi Hou looks on during yesterday’s regular press conference. – Photo: William Chan
