Man arrested for allegedly impersonating Hong Kong police, officials in 3 scams
Authorities say 57-year-old used false identities to con victims out of HK$310,000 by claiming he could help buy discounted concert tickets, phones
Hong Kong authorities have arrested a 57-year-old man for allegedly scamming three victims out of HK$310,000 (US$39,500) by pretending to be a police officer or government officials while claiming he could help them buy concert tickets and mobile phones at discounted prices through his contacts.
Police said on Thursday that they received reports last month from two of the three victims who handed over around HK$11,000 to the alleged scammer before losing contact with him. A broader investigation showed the same man allegedly conned another victim out of HK$300,000 last April.
Police apprehended the suspect at a hotel in Hung Hom on Tuesday.
During the arrest, officers seized clothes, five fake foreign passports, five stacks of counterfeit euro banknotes, a few suspected fake gold bars, gold chains and watches.
A Correctional Services Department hat and three mobile phones were also confiscated.
The suspect was charged with impersonating a police officer, impersonating a public official, obtaining property by deception, possession of counterfeit banknotes and possession of false documents.
The case will be mentioned at Kowloon City Court on Friday.