HKMA warns public of fraudulent social media posts impersonating HKMA Chief Executive
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has received enquiries from members of the public regarding fraudulent social media posts impersonating the Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue. The posts contained a faked news footage which claimed that the Chief Executive of the HKMA had attended a television programme. It included a link to lure members of the public into investing in a fraudulent investment scheme and providing personal information.
The HKMA wishes to clarify that the relevant news footage and posts are fabricated. The HKMA will not contact members of the public regarding personal financial matters.
The public should disregard any information disseminated on suspicious websites or social media accounts.
The HKMA has reported the cases to the Hong Kong Police Force. Members of the public who suspect that they have become victims of fraudulent acts should contact the Commercial and Technology Crime Hotline of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012 for further action and investigation by the Police.
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (March 30) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 30, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (March 29), and seized about 20 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $86,000 and a duty potential of about $69,300, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
