A FAKE credit card factory which fed an international counterfeiting ring was smashed when ICAC officers stumbled on it, the District Court heard yesterday. The operation in Yau Ma Tei had already forged 200 cards and was geared up to make dozens more when it was discovered. Lee Chuen-shu, 21, admitted having worked at the factory for up to three months. He admitted possessing false instruments and possessing equipment to make false instruments. Prosecutor Kevin Zervos said Independent Commission Against Corruption officers came across the ring on February 3 this year while conducting a search as part of another inquiry. Inside the On Hong building in Yin Chong Street they found Lee with a computer, embossing machine, encoding machine and other contraptions as well as gold-plating paper and foil. They found 79 completed forgeries and 36 blank cards bearing only the name of a bank and credit card company. In addition, details of 1,500 bona fide credit cards were found. Lee, who lived above the factory, was arrested and told the officers he had made 200 cards during the two to three months he worked there, the court was told. Deputy Judge Day agreed to delay sentence pending background reports. The case was adjourned until May 27.
