Police track source of fake property press release
‘Official’ statement said more measures were on the way to cool property market
Police are investigating the source of a document purporting to be an official press release saying that the government would announce new measures to rein in the property market.
The Secretariat Press Office referred the matter to police in a bid to ease fears among internet users after the document was widely circulated last week.
The force said that the commercial crime bureau was investigating.
Anyone who accesses a computer with criminal or dishonest intent is liable to a jail term of up to five years under the Crimes Ordinance.
Internet users had speculated that a press conference was to be jointly held yesterday by Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah and the Monetary Authority to announce the new measures.
Rumours have been swirling since last week on online forum Discuss Hong Kong and through messaging tool WhatsApp.
Some suggested that the buyer stamp duty - introduced in October at a rate of 15 per cent of the property price for non-local buyers - would be increased further, to 30 per cent.