Hong Kong Customs detects suspected gold-smuggling case by air worth about $22 million
Hong Kong Customs on August 13 detected a suspected gold-smuggling case by air freight, and seized about 26.2 kilograms of suspected gold with an estimated market value of about $22 million at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
Based on risk assessment, Customs on that day examined an air cargo consignment, declared as carrying plastic flower boxes departing for Japan, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found a batch of suspected gold, which had been moulded into thin sheets, concealed inside false compartments at the bottom of the flower boxes. The total weight of the suspected gold was about 26.2kg.
An investigation is still ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects suspected gold-smuggling case by air worth about $22 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Scam alert related to banks
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on theHKMA website.
Bank |
Type of scam |
The Bank of East Asia, Limited |
Fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens and phishing email |
Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited |
Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited |
Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
Chong Hing Bank Limited |
Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited |
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens |
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the scams concerned, should contact the relevant bank with the information provided in the corresponding press release, and report the matter to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Source: AI-found images
