Crimes show online 'friends' threat

Young Hongkongers still seem to be ignoring the dangers of making friends online.

Five men were jailed for up to 13 years in Hong Kong's Court of First Instance last month after drugging and raping under-age girls.

They lured the girls to Kowloon flats in January last year after becoming 'friends' on Facebook.

Mr Justice Louis Tong Po-sun said the case was a warning to teenagers and their parents about the dangers of befriending strangers on social networking sites.

Patrick Christian Lim Wai-lung, 20, who had a leading role in the crimes, was jailed for 13 years. A jury found him guilty of nine charges, including rape, administering drugs to obtain an unlawful sexual act, having unlawful sex with a girl under 16 and indecent assault. The other defendants were Yeung Man-chung, 28, Chung Chi-wo, 26, Hung Wing-fung, 28, and Yong Kwong-fai, 29.

The girls called police after being lured to flats and given sleeping tablets during drinking games.