HKTB applauds Prompt Police Action against Scam

The Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Mr James Tien, has expressed his gratitude to the Hong Kong Police for its swift actions in investigating into several cases of misrepresentation of HKTB and arresting the persons suspected to be connected with the cases.

The HKTB has recently received several reports from visitors in various markets, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, who were contacted either by telephone or mail by someone allegedly from the HKTB or 香港觀光旅遊局. The visitors were told that they had won prizes in a lucky draw or promotion organised by the Board. In order to redeem the prizes, they had to provide their passport and bank account numbers or pay for taxes to the organisation concerned. Some of the documents even contained the HKTB logo.

Mr Tien said, “Given that the HKTB has not organised such lucky draw or promotional activities with any organisation, we immediately filed reports to the Hong Kong Police and the law enforcement agencies in the respective markets in November 2009. As well as informing the Tourism Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the HKTB posted notices on its website to alert visitors to the misrepresentation.

“The HKTB greatly appreciates the prompt investigation by Hong Kong Police, which led to the arrest of the persons concerned,” Mr Tien added. “We will definitely continue our close co-operation with the Police so as to prevent similar cases and to uphold the image of Hong Kong as a premier travel destination.”

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