A mainland man was arrested on Sunday for defrauding a pawn shop in Macau out of HK$54,000 by hocking counterfeit gold jewellery, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Leng Kam Lon said at a press conference yesterday.
The suspect is a 33-year-old man surnamed Wang, who told the police that he works as a waiter.
According to Leng, a pawnshop in Taipa reported to the police on Thursday that a mainlander had pawned a fake gold chain for HK$54,000.
The pawnshop staff initially did not find any abnormality but later discovered that the necklace was counterfeit, but Wang had already left the shop.
Leng said PJ officers asked specialists to test the gold chain, which was eventually confirmed to be a fake, as it was only gold plated.
PJ officers intercepted Wang at the Macau border checkpoint of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), as he was attempting to leave Macau, Leng said, adding that PJ officers seized about HK$33,000 in cash and a fake watch from Wang.
PJ officers believe that there are strong indications that Wang was involved in the case, however, Wang denied the crime, Leng said. The Judiciary Police are continuing their investigation, according to Leng.
Wang was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday, facing a fraud charge involving a considerable amount of money.
Evidence seized from the suspect such as fake jewellery, Hong Kong dollar notes and a smartphone is displayed during yesterday’s press conference at the pressroom of the Judiciary Police (PJ) headquarters.
– Photo: Ginnie Liang
