the university of hong kong librariesebook.lib.hku.hk/hkg/b35843573.pdf · speaking they will be...

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONGLIBRARIES

Hong Kong Collection

HONG KONG POLICECRIME PREfENTION BUREAU

o f l t s c f l f n * !

Latest Con-tricks

It is a sad fact of life that Hong Kong, in common with other major cities is home to someunscrupulous individuals who make a living from exploiting others. These people are known asscammers, or more commonly, con artists. The scams these people perpetrate are virtuallylimitless in their variety and, let's face it - ingenuity. Given the current financial climate, thesecon men realize that they have a rich source of opportunity in attracting those who wish to profitfrom get rich quick schemes and other business deals. New scams surface every day, but thereare a number of old favorites which sadly, people continue to be taken in by and it is with this inmind that the Hong Kong Police Force has compiled this "Top Ten" list of scams anddeceptions.

» No.l - Fake Gold Rings81 No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies» No.3 • London ("Loco") Goldfe No.4 - Fake Herbs etc.fr No.5 - "Dropped" Money» No.6 • The "Ketchup" Gang& No.7 - Nigerian Letters> No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes^ No.9 - Overclocking> No.10 - Millennium (Y2K) Scams

HONG KONG POLICECRIME PREVENTION BUREAU

I No.1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies | No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold II No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money | No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang | No.7 - NigerianLetters || No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K) WornScams I Menu I

Latest Con-tricks

No.l - FAKE GOLD RINGS

How does it work?

A simple scam, the culprits generally approach elderly women in the street and show them agenuine gold ring. They go on to say that they have just unearthed several more rings at aconstruction site where they work but are unable to pawn them, because they are illegalimmigrants and do not have Hong Kong Identity Cards. The victim has the one ring valued at ajewelers and on the basis of a favorable report, undertakes to purchase the remaining rings fromthe culprits at prices ranging between HK$60,000 - HK$ 100,000. Needless to say the remainingrings are fake and the victim looses their money.

Who are the scammers?

The culprits are often two females aged 30-40 who work as a pair. One will start a conversationwith the victim, after which the second culprit appears carrying the rings.

What is our advice?

• Only buy jewellery from reputable sources where you have some recourse forreimbursement if the merchandise is sub-standard.

• Don't be fooled by deals which seem to be too good to be true because they almost alwaysare!

No.1 - Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies | No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money | No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang | No.7 - Nigerian

Letters || No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams I Menu I


No.1 - Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold INo.4 - Fake Herbs etc. I No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - Nigerian

Letters |I No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams | Menu |

HMI

latest Con-tricks

No.2 BOGUS MODELLING AGENCIES

How does it work?

The culprits in these cases will approach their victims on the street or advertise via a frontcompany with promises of lucrative modeling contracts if the victim is willing to pay up frontfor a portfolio or training course. The victim often parts with substantial sums of money forcourses or portfolios, which never materialise. The con men are careful to protect themselves byasking the victims to sign legally binding documents which essentially tie them to the companyconcerned. In many cases, the victims find that in addition to having paid for the initial portfolioor course they still owe the company money.


There are no hard and fast criteria for the con artists, who can be any age or any sex. Generallyspeaking they will be well dressed and appear to have excellent credentials, references etc.

What is our advice?

• Be suspicious of approaches in the street• Do not go alone to the agency office. If you are under 18 years of age always have a parent

or guardian accompany you. Regardless of age, it is always a good idea to have a friendwith you who can corroborate any evidence that the company has misrepresented itself

• Do not sign contracts which you do not fully understand• Do not pay fees up front, especially in cash• Be suspicious when promised unreasonably high remuneration for modeling jobs• Always ask for references and check these out

No.1 - Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies | No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money | No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang | No.7 - Nigerian

Letters || No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams | Menu |


No.1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money | No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang | No.7 - Nigerian

Letters I| No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K) H(WIScams I Menu I

Latest Con-tricks

No.3 LONDON ("LOCO") GOLD

How does it work?

A front company is formed by the culprits who will then advertise a vacancy within the companyfor an unskilled post paying a high salary. Having worked for the company for a short while, thevictim is shown how easy it is to profit from speculation in gold futures and investments by theculprits. He or she then agrees to transfer funds into the company account so that the culpritsmay trade on their behalf. In addition to depositing the cash, the victim is usually required tosign legally biding documents which he or she does not fully understand and that effectivelyabsolve the company from any liability should the investment crash. Needless to say theinvestment does crash, and in many cases the victims not only loose the money invested, but inaddition find themselves having to repay unseen charges to the culprits.


As with those who perpetrate the Modeling Agency scams, they can come in any shape or form.They will however seek to make the con appear more convincing by outward displays of wealth.

What is our advice?

• Beware of unskilled positions being offered at unrealistically high remuneration.• Do not transfer your own money to company accounts• Be aware of the fact that many con artists use the name 'Loco London1 to cheat you into

believing that you are dealing with legitimate operators.• Work only with legitimate organizations that can prove their access to the Loco London

market with the proper certificate• Look to reputable banking institutions as an alternative conduit for investment in the gold

market• Beware of an increase in the number of these scams as a result of the economic downturn• Be aware of the fact that gold prices might surpass the $320 mark to reach $360 an ounce

once the US dollar or US capital markets reach their peaks, which might trigger a rush byinvestment funds into gold. Again this may prompt and increase in activity by bogustraders

| No.1 Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies | No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |I No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. I No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - NigerianLetters | ^ mI No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes I No.9 - Overclocking I No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams I Menu I


| No.1 - Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |I No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - NigerianLetters || No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams I Menu I

Latest Con4ricks

No.4 FAKE HERBS etc.

How does it work?

We should begin by saying that this is actually a misnomer as it can involve anything from herbsto sea swallow and in several recent cases electronic components. These are one of the mostcommon forms of street scam. The victims are generally the elderly or the poorly educated whowill be approached on the street by a culprit and asked whether for HK$200-300 they will watchover some goods being unloaded in the street for them whilst they return to the office. If thevictim agrees to look after the consignment, a second culprit who pretends to be interested inthat particular item will approach the victim. The second culprit tells the victim that he knows ofa lucrative market for the goods, where huge profits can be made and goes on to suggest that heand the victim offer to buy some of the consignment from the first culprit when he returns. Whenthe victim agrees, he parts with his cash to receive a worthless batch of produce. Needless to say,the culprits in these cases avoid genuine retailers who are certain to know the true nature of thegoods.


The culprits in these cases vary depending upon the nature of the fake goods being peddled. Inthe case of fake sea swallow, the culprits are generally a group of three middle-aged males whowill target other elderly males. In the case of the fake herbs, the culprits are mostly females agedbetween 30-45 years of age who will target workers or elderly housewives. Regardless of sex,the gangs are almost exclusively Mainlanders who will remain in the SAR on short-stay visas.

What is our advice?

• Do not be tempted by these deals. Ask yourself why the person is willing to cut you in onsuch a lucrative deal. They have never met you before and could easily keep all of the"profit" for themselves.

• Never purchase goods "sight unseen" or if you have no experience in the particular marketconcerned

• Only buy herbs or merchandise of this nature from reputable outlets where you will havesome recourse against the supplier if needed

I No.1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |I No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. I No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - NigerianLetters | *|| No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K) HchrtiScams I Menu I


No.1 Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies | No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money | No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang | No.7 - Nigerian

Letters || No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Miilennium (Y2K)Scams | Menu |

Latest Con-tricks

No.5 f?DROPPED?f MONEY

How does it work?

This scam involves two culprits, usually in the general area of an ATM machine. The first culpritwill either withdraw cash from the ATM, or be walking away from the machine when he"accidentally" drops some of the cash in full view of a passer-by and disappears. The secondculprit will then appear and pick up the "money" placing it quickly into a bag, asking thepasser-by if he wishes to have a share of the cash. The first culprit returns and accuses thesecond of stealing it. In the argument that ensues, the first culprit says that he is going to make areport to police. The second culprit hands his bag over to the victim and asks him to keep hold ofit for safekeeping, asking that he exchange any jewellery he might have as collateral. After theculprits leave to make their report to police the victim checks the money in the bag to find that itis worthless paper.


Most culprits in these cases are described as being middle-aged males, and their main victimsmiddle-aged blue-collar workers. A majority of the cases occur in the mornings between thehours of 07.00-09.00 am.

What is our advice?

• Don't expect much sympathy from the Police if you are taken in by this scam. In agreeingto partake of a share in the "money" you are committing THEFT. You have a legal duty toreport anyone you see committing an act such as this to the police.

I No.1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold II No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money | No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang | No.7 - NigerianLetters II No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes I No.9 - Overclocking I No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams | Menu |


I No.1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |I No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - NigerianLetters || No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams | Menu |

Latest Con-tricks

No.6 - THE "KETCHUP" GANG

How does it work?

The culprits work this scam as a team, and will approach lone victims in possession of luggagein public places. One of the culprits will discreetly smear the victim's clothing with ketchup,tomato juice or some other substance and then point the stain out to the victim. As the victim'sattention is distracted whilst he attempts to remove the stain, the other team members will makeoff with his luggage.


The culprits in these cases are almost exclusively groups ofIndian/Pakistani/Colombian/Peruvian males.

What is our advice?

• Simply speaking, keep your luggage and valuables within sight at all times, especially incrowded streets

I No.1 - Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies | No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |I No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. I No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - NigerianLetters I| No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams I Menu I


No.1 - Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies | No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. I No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - Nigerian

Letters || No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes I No.9 - Overclocking I No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams I Menu I

Latest Con4ricks

No.7 NIGERIAN LETTERS

How does it work?

People all around the world have received letters from Nigeria, ostensibly from a "SeniorGovernment Official" or "Officer" of a Nigerian State business who claims to have stolenmillions of dollars from a foreign aid payment or UN grants. The letter writer states that hecannot put the money into his own Nigerian bank account but instead needs a foreign bankaccount through which to launder the money. The culprits promise that if you allow the millionsto be deposited into your bank account you may keep anywhere from 10% to 30% of the deposit.All that is needed is the provision of your bank account number. Needless to say once theaccount number is provided, your account is drained. Can you believe that some of these lettershave actually been addressed to Police Headquarters!


Overseas Nigerians, and some expatriate Nigerians in Hong Kong

What is our advice?

• Again, the police take a dim view of victims who involve themselves in these scams. Inproviding your bank details you have indicated your consent in becoming a party to acrime

• Never provide your bank details to any person or organization you are unsure of.

I No.1 - Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies | No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |I No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - NigerianLetters |I No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes I No.9 - Overclocking I No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams | Menu |

No.1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco")No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. I No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang [ NoJ_- Nigerian

Letters || No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overciockinq | No.10 - MillenniumnQ^QScams | Menu |

UtestCon-tricks

No.8 CHAIN LETTERS AND PYRAMID SCHEMES

How does it work?

People are often asked to participate in a chain letter guaranteed to earn them millions with onesmall investment. Chain letters are a form of unauthorized lottery in which victims lose thousandsof dollars every year. The promise that all participants in a chain letter will be winners ismathematically impossible. The first investor in the chain may receive some money, but laterparticipants rarely even get their original investment back. A typical scheme may require you tomail the chain letter, along with a specified amount of money to six people, each of whom mustthen mail letters to six more people, and so on. The chart below illustrates that it ismathematically impossible for those lower down the chart to profit. There simply are not enoughpeople on the planet.

636

2161,2967,776

46,656279,936

1,679,61610,077,69660,466,176

362,797,0562,176,782,33613,060,694,016

A variation on this theme is for someone to offer the victim a simple way to make money. Thevictim must invest a certain amount and solicit others, and so is similar to a chain letter. This is aPyramid Scheme or Ponzi Scheme. Sometimes the original investors are paid a small dividend,but when the pyramid crashes and it invariably does, everybody bar the person at the top looses.


No one particular group, but anybody who thinks that they can profit from these scams

What is our advice?

• Simply refer to the table above and consider whether it is worth your while to invest hardearned money in one of these hopeless get-rich-quick schemes.

No 1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - llDroppedtl_MgD§^ I No.6 - The "Ketchup Gang | NgJ - Nigerian

Letters IFNaF- Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclockinfl | No.10- Millennium (Y2K) HScams I Menu I


No.1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold INo.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - Nigerian

Letters |I No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K) 1Scams | Menu |

Latest Con-tricks

No.9 OVERCLOCKING

How does it work?

Few modern offices and homes are now without a computer system of some description. Inmany cases these will be PC's or perhaps server systems. The latest scam to come to lightinvolving the personal computer is "Overclocking" of the CPU Chip. The victim purchases acomputer which he or she believes to be let's say a 200mhz Pentium but has in fact been connedby the store who have installed a 166mhz chip and reset the motherboard to increase the powerfrom the chip. Upon bootup or checking the software, the computer verifies that the chip insideis a 200mhz, but it's actually a 166mhz chip. This causes stress on the chip and in some casesburns them out. Scams such as this tend only to come to light when the computer is returned toan authorized dealer or some other expert who can perform a detailed check of the system oncethe chip burns out. Needless to say, the unfortunate victim pays not only the full purchase pricefor a what he believes to be a faster chip, but the price of the inevitable repairs to his system.


Generally, low-end computer retail outlets selling stand-alone PC systems

What is our advice?

• Only purchase systems from reputable dealerships• ou are not familiar with computers, take a friend or colleague who is knowledgeable with

you when you make a purchase

I No.1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold I| No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. | No.5 - "Dropped" Money | No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang | No.7 - NigerianLetters |I No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams | Menu |


I No.1 - Fake Gold Rings I No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies I No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |I No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. I No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - NigerianLetters |I No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams | Menu |

Latest Con-tricks

No.lO MILLENNIUM (Y2K) SCAMS

How does it work?

There are presently two reported variations of this scam. In one scenario, the victim will receivea call from someone purporting to represent his or her bank stating that the bank's computers arenot Y2K compatible. The victim is then told that all customers' funds are being transferred to aspecial bond account in order to protect them. The caller then says that to verify that he is talkingto the proper person about the account and to move the money, he needs the consumer's bankaccount number and verbal authorization to transfer the funds. As soon as the account number isprovided, the account is drained. The second scam is similar. The call comes from someonepurporting to represent the victim's credit card issuer. The caller says that in order to make theconsumer's credit cards Y2K compliant, a kit will be sent together with a sticker to affix to thecard. However, the caller needs the consumer's credit card number for verification. In this case,unauthorized purchases are made using the victim's credit card details for which he or she issubsequently billed.


No particular group

What is our advice?

• Never to give out a credit card number, bank account number, or any other financialinformation to someone who calls requesting it, unless it has been agreed to pay for apurchase using that account

• If a caller says he or she is from your bank or credit card issuer, ask for the person'snumber and inform them that you will call back

• Check with your bank or credit card issuer to ascertain whether the person and the purposeof the call is legitimate

• Contact your bank or credit card issuer directly with any concerns that you may haveabout the Y2K problem and its affect on your accounts.

I No.1 - Fake Gold Rings | No.2 - Bogus Modelling Agencies | No.3 - London ("Loco") Gold |I No.4 - Fake Herbs etc. I No.5 - "Dropped" Money I No.6 - The "Ketchup" Gang I No.7 - NigerianLetters I| No.8 - Chain Letters And Pyramid Schemes | No.9 - Overclocking | No.10 - Millennium (Y2K)Scams I Menu I

m^w<tJf &•• wummimmmfm^.

Himxm'••r T3PSJ iillf HI* :flli xir

M If $f ̂

~h A fr

fiffefHfriS^ffis [— -^^>wfl I . ea

»• (•—)

»fpq).fr,

II '

t-

f

— ire <fc as a I (-) mm mm # K wi I (=) ̂ at?M g $£ g£ I (77) »mm. I Y

(A) m m mfr >+ H

m tf an I (-h.)

B

B ^

S ~J I *->-J

41 "I

wi I (~\ (-H) fc H f f l Iff ft f» I

|KflHH^% L JBBPm ih_ m

l (ji)mmm i+ til I i-h.)-)+ at I (-H) p. R

& '

ttS'J

'

(A) a it M(7T) B» «i at I? ts f+ an i (fi.

. //> a I (=)f+r) g. H

& n? I

i (+) =f-

I \^ m ̂ a? H if-) I m +g $.- ( v jId - -K- ij£ (^

w ?£ (=) I IM v7/ s ̂ m

i' fi# Jirii —

I Ut +1H

I V) I

(— ) re <s» aft as i (~) fe - wi I (") AI (A) m m m

I<fc

j+ m. I (-HI fp. Ht+ «ii i

'

p°p '

nzr,A, N-=- \\~\-~sro ^5. ^5

^App

pp trJI—f ,/,/ —1_«

rtJpp PNJ mmwM

l (m) ̂ m m (TT) IB?wi I (=) gf r^m

-H- at I (-H) fg. HI (+) =F ̂

:

Hi

Hi*

— ^

M l̂0^n l̂r~r~fLM

"H

SS

ffr-ftMm

o Unl

HH

m

HH

%w

• gMM

/,> wi I (-) 4:-H-

m \. R m

?

(E)(-imwmm&.K-m $~]

\i/$mm^m&s -H- at i (-H) fp. R ai gg m

BH

(m) ̂m m g. ̂ wi I (=)

(A) a m m m t+ m \-H- at I (+r) g. H

(+) =f

Ofcr) JS 0 fll 35 te #

fft IS ?7 P P

A

(TT) (-X) »-Ht\ f-4-r) E H ill iff M IE(/\)mmmm.&^ m i+ «i I

ati (w m \

(A)

If fit/Hi fg - ^-

Jl — i C •"^ I — J . "^^"

636

2161,2967,776

46,656279,936

1,679,61610,077,69660,466,176

362,797,0562,176,782,33613,060,694,016

±

K-K) fB H

I (pg) {gg :g: ̂ gp gp I (7f) ifeI (A) a ̂ t fw ffi <k ̂ fg i+ M

fifffia^^

m g. K wi l (=)R ai re fit

(A)

SS».<B|

tt& HH

rfff

M-

^ 16(

l^\t

n°p

immmtiH M-n

200

U_rP-f

. 4> Wl I (=) ^b iffa___(-K) p R m

Tft

(+) ^w

(A)_____ _ _

Jg gg gg I (7T) fe SS flt I (:frl ffi H- JE I (+•:) fig. R ill iff Mm m <& ̂ m t+ m \ (-h.) tamm&

(+)T¥^«fi Siif̂ g i

' &W|

^m

w

/> Wl I (=) ̂ : ttfa. Tft

4^«$*

HKP 364.163 L3Latest con-tricksHong Kong : Hong Kong PoliceCrime Prevnetion Bureau,[199-]

Date Due

•4 or.; v n

the university of hong kong librariesebook.lib.hku.hk/hkg/b35843573.pdf · speaking they will be...

Documents