Fraudster's sentence cut plea rejected

A con artist in a multi-million dollar swindling syndicate yesterday lost his attempt to have his sentence reduced.

The Court of Appeal rejected claims by Kong Kwong-por, 38, that his 5.5-year prison term was unreasonably harsh.

The fraudster said he played a minor role in the $12 million scam, and that he was only following orders.

But Mr Justice Barry Mortimer described Kong's role as 'a vital one'.

'[These offences] were obviously very serious matters,' he said.

Mr Justice Mortimer, Mr Justice Henry Litton and Mr Justice Simon Mayo concluded that the jail term was not excessive.