A man from the mainland was arrested on Sunday for defrauding another mainlander out of a total of HK$60,000 (61,800 patacas), Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Ho Wai Lok said during a regular press conference yesterday.
Ho identified the suspect as a 30-year-old businessman surnamed Li.
According to Ho, the police received a report on Saturday from a middle-aged mainland man who said that he had been cheated by Li in a currency exchange deal. Early Saturday morning, the victim was approached by Li in a casino in Cotai, where he told the victim that he needed to exchange HK$1,000 for gambling. The victim then showed Li a payment QR code. After receiving 950 yuan, the victim handed over HK$1,000 in cash to Li, and the two left the scene.
Ho noted that early Sunday morning the victim met with Li again at the casino for another currency exchange. They agreed to exchange 55,920 yuan for HK$60,000 in chips, at an exchange rate of 0.932. The victim then displayed a payment QR code, and Li showed the victim a screenshot appearing to show a successful transfer in return. After handing over HK$60,000 in chips to Li, the victim left the scene. Later, the victim discovered that the 55,920 yuan had not been transferred to his bank account. Suspecting he had been defrauded, he reported a loss of HK$60,000 in chips to the police immediately.
The police identified Li as the suspect and apprehended him in a casino in Cotai. Under questioning, Li refused to cooperate. The police seized a mobile phone from Li.
Li has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), facing a fraud charge.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Ho Wai Lok looks on during yesterday’s regular press conference. – Photo: Ada Lei
