2 Hong Kong men arrested in bogus cheque scam involving mattresses that netted fraudsters HK$1.5 million

Scammers posed as staff members and told renovation and maintenance firms they represented schools that needed work done

Fake cheques and forged transfer screenshots used to fool companies into thinking cash had been deposited in their accounts so they ordered goods with own cash

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Police have arrested two men after they try to deposit bounced cheques through an ATM as part of a HK$1.5 million scam. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 9:41pm, 21 Apr 2024Updated: 7:14am, 22 Apr 2024

Hong Kong police have broken up a bogus cheque scam ring and arrested two men who posed as school or charity staff members to defraud businesses out of HK$1.5 million (US$191,535) in 25 cases.

The force said on Sunday the scammers had contacted city businesses, including renovation and maintenance firms, and claimed they represented schools or other charities such as homes for the elderly that needed work done or supplies.

They offered high commissions to entice business operators to place orders for mattresses with fake suppliers on behalf of the “schools” and homes, Chief Inspector Tam Tsz-wai, of New Territories north regional crime unit, said.

The scammers transferred dishonoured or invalid cheques and forged transfer screenshots to the companies.

Hong Kong police have broken up a major scam that netted fraudsters about HK$1.5 million. Photo: Warton Li

The victims, who believed they had received the money, transferred cash to the fraudulent mattress suppliers, who were operating as part of the criminal network.

Police received a report about fraudsters attempting to deposit dishonoured cheques through an ATM on Friday. Two men, aged 33 to 44 and suspected to be errand runners, were detained.