The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong that BitGinko as referred to on the websites of https://bitginko.com/, https://bitginko.medium.com/ and https://matters.town/@BitGinko, Facebook account (https://www.facebook.com/bitginko.bitcoin/) and Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/bitginko/) does not have the authorization of the Monetary Authority (MA) under the Banking Ordinance (the Ordinance) to carry on banking business, or the business of taking deposits, in Hong Kong; and BitGinko does not have the approval of the MA to establish a local representative office in Hong Kong under the Ordinance.
           
     Given the global nature of the Internet, members of the public are reminded to verify the status of any organisation making use of the Internet to offer bank accounts to, or to solicit deposits from, the public in Hong Kong prior to transferring any funds to, or providing any personal information to, any such organisation.
           
     A list of authorized institutions is available on the HKMA's website (www.hkma.gov.hk). Members of the public may also check the status of any entity which appears to be soliciting deposits from the public in Hong Kong, or holding itself out as a bank or deposit-taking company in Hong Kong, by emailing the HKMA's public enquiry service (publicenquiry@hkma.gov.hk).
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd. relating to fraudulent websites, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs today (December 12) conducted a special operation in Mong Kok to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 7 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $900,000.

     Customs earlier conducted patrols and discovered some hawker stalls selling suspected counterfeit goods in Mong Kok. After investigations, Customs officers took enforcement action today and raided a number of fixed-pitch and mobile hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street where the batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, leather goods, jerseys, was seized.

     During the operation, two women, aged 45 and 70, were arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     With the Christmas and New Year approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities before and during the holidays.

     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Stephen Cheung, welcomed the Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint promulgated today (December 12), which outlines a forward-looking vision for strategic railway and major road networks up to 2046 and beyond.

     Professor Cheung said, "After an in-depth study and an extensive consultation by the Government covering the views of the TAC, this Blueprint aims to 'Drive Development', 'Strengthen Connection' and 'Improve Efficiency'. It has formulated and outlined a forward-looking framework for the city’s future transport infrastructure, including an enhanced proposal on the Three Railways and Three Major Roads, and new projects on the two railways and one major road. I welcome the Government's effort to continuously optimise the railway and major road networks, catering for the commuting demands of the public and visitors as well as the development needs of the city. The Blueprint provides a transport foundation for the Northern Metropolis and promotes better integration with other cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. The Blueprint also recommends the implementation of smart and green mass transit systems in East Kowloon, Kai Tak and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area. It fully adopts the planning principles of 'infrastructure-led' and 'capacity-creating' for unleashing the development potential along the alignment of transport infrastructure."

     "The TAC will, as always, continue to earnestly offer views on various traffic and transport policies and measures to the Government for building and enhancing our transportation system as well as proactively taking forward smart mobility, with a view to promoting and consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international metropolis and a regional logistics hub."

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 12) that the Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool in Yuen Long District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.