The Hong Kong Police Force held the Bank Staff Recognition Ceremony today (March 22) to commend and thank banks and their staff for their close collaboration with Police and excellent performance in preventing and combatting deception cases.

     Addressing the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, said that countries and regions are all facing the challenge of increasing numbers of deception cases and financial losses. A total of 39 824 deception cases were recorded in Hong Kong in 2023, registering an increase of 42.6 per cent compared with that of 2022, with loss as high as $9.18 billion. Nearly one out of every two crime cases involved deception. Apart from pecuniary losses, scam victims often face immense pressure and suffer psychological trauma due to self-blame or broken relationships with their families. In some extreme cases, victims may even commit suicide and lose their precious lives. The impact of deception on public order should not be overlooked. Therefore, Police have been furthering their collaboration with the banking sector in combatting deception cases in recent years.

     The Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) was established in July 2017. Up to December 2023, the ADCC prevented 915 deception cases identified by bank staff, arrested 708 fraudsters and intercepted crime proceeds of over $12.5 billion, through close collaboration with the banking sector.

     Police and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) continued to enhance their co-operation with the banking sector in 2023 and launched a number of joint measures, including:
1)    extending the 24/7 Stop-Payment Mechanism to cover all retail banks and improve the effectiveness of the mechanism;

2)    launching the Upstream Scam Intervention Scheme to proactively identify potential scam victims, contact them and provide them with anti-scam advice by phone, SMS messages or via deployed police officers, based on co-ordination between Police and banks. Since the launch of the scheme in May 2023 to February 2024, 900 people were dissuaded from continuing to transfer funds to fraudsters;

3)    establishing the Anti-Deception Alliance which gathers staff deployed by 10 participating banks to work at the ADCC, facilitating communication and co-operation with Police in a more direct and immediate manner on stop-payment processing, identification of potential scam victims and intelligence exchange;

4)    introducing Financial INtelligence Evaluation Sharing Tool (FINEST), a financial intelligence sharing platform for banks to enhance their ability to exchange information to more effectively detect and stop fraudulent activities and stooge account networks; and

5)    introducing Faster Payment System (FPS) High Risk Alert. By integrating the data of Scameter into the FPS platform, members of the public are notified of high risk transactions and thus can identify scams more easily. Sinceits launch in November 2023 to February2024, nearly 400,000 alerts were issued to the public.

     There are 287 bank staff members commended in the ceremony this year, assisting Police in identifying and discouraging 364 deception cases in the past year and a half. The number of frontline staff commended this year has significantly surpassed the 192 individuals last year, reaching a 50 per cent increase. Moreover, six outstanding corporate awards are established, including Anti-Scam Excellence Award (Gold, Silver, Bronze), Anti-Scam Advancement Award, Effective Collaboration with Police Scam Response Team Award, Effective Publicity and Education Award, Exemplary Efforts in Upstream Scam Intervention Award and Effective Regtech Application Award, in recognition of the banks which assist Police in the prevention and proactive detection of deception cases (the awardees are listed in the Annex).

     Mr Siu thanked the HKMA, the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) and the banking industry for their continued support and contributions, and looked forward to partnering with the banking industry to deepen "police-bank cooperation", jointly developing more strategic, proactive and innovative measures to comprehensively improve the effectiveness in combatting deception cases, protecting the properties of the public and maintaining Hong Kong’s reputation as an international financial centre.

     In addition to Mr Siu, the officiating guests also included the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming; the Director of Crime and Security, Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ms Chung Wing-man; the Executive Director of the HKMA, Ms Carmen Chu, and the Chairperson of Anti Money Laundering Committee of the HKAB, Ms Carol Li.

                

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 21) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 20 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $4.6 million. A man and a woman were arrested.

     Yesterday, Customs intercepted a 18-year-old male passenger and a 42-year-old female passenger, both arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, at the airport. During customs clearance, about 10kg of suspected cannabis buds were found in each of their checked-in luggage. The duo were subsequently arrested.

     The two arrested persons have been each charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Their cases will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 23).

     Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     With Easter holidays approaching, Customs believes that the local demand for drugs will increase. The department will therefore further step up enforcement action to fiercely combat different kinds of dangerous drug trafficking activities during the long holidays. Customs again reminds the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 Correctional Services Department (CSD) held a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Academy today (March 22). The Chairman of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Security, Mr Chan Hak-kan, reviewed the parade, marking the graduation of 42 Officers and 81 Assistant Officers II.
      
     At the parade, the CSD Guard of Honour and passing-out correctional officers assembled to form the two Chinese characters of "correction" and "rehabilitation" during a foot drill demonstration, symbolising that they will take on the challenges ahead with courage, continue to support the Department's principle of placing dual emphasis on safe custody and rehabilitation and assist persons in custody (PICs) to get back on the right track. They then assembled to form a shield pattern incorporated with the number "23", symbolising that the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance can safeguard the country and protect Hong Kong like a shield, while correctional officers are strongly committed to ensuring the effective implementation of the Ordinance, so as to protect national security.
      
     Speaking at the parade, Mr Chan pointed out that correctional officers have been serving their duties steadfastly and diligently to protect the public and prevent crime for a better Hong Kong. He said that he witnessed the remarkable achievements of the CSD in its custodial and rehabilitation work, which are widely recognised by the community.
      
     Mr Chan mentioned that the redevelopment of the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, which has successfully secured funding approval from the LegCo Finance Committee, would give solid support for the CSD's future development to cater for the increasing remand penal population in recent years.
      
     He commended the CSD for launching the Social Visit e-Booking Service last November, which offers greater convenience to visitors by shortening the waiting time for registration in correctional institutions. The CSD also launched a series of new initiatives on rehabilitation such as setting up the Ethics College at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution and Lo Wu Correctional Institution last October to provide a one-year full-time Diploma of Applied Education programme for adult PICs, assisting them to equip themselves and providing them with opportunities for upward mobility. Moreover, the CSD has established four multi-purpose family and rehabilitation service centres in Shau Kei Wan, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin and Sheung Shui. Apart from providing video social visit services to the families and friends of PICs, the centres also provide psychological and counselling services for rehabilitated persons and their families, with a view to strengthening their determination to rehabilitate through restoring family relationships.
      
     Praising the CSD's community education work, Mr Chan said that the department has organised a wide variety of diversified community education activities under the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project to disseminate to young people the messages of safeguarding the country and home, leading a law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation. In addition, the CSD has organised the Chinese Cultural Journey exchange programme last year, under which arrangements are made for trainees of its youth uniformed group, the Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders, to visit cities of the Greater Bay Area, with a view to nurturing them into a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and a global vision.
      
     Mr Chan encouraged the passing-out correctional officers to stay united, display good team spirit and rise to challenges in the face of difficulties and adversities, guarding the last element of Hong Kong's criminal justice system.
      
     During the parade, Mr Chan presented the Principal's Shield to two Officers, namely Mr Dy Derrick Klein A and Ms Shiu Man-yip, and the Golden Whistle to four Assistant Officers II, namely Mr Tam Siu-hin, Ms Ho Wing-shan, Mr Chan Hei and Mr Yu Chi-chiu, for their outstanding performance in the recruit training.

                    

     A spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said today (March 22) that the Government attaches great importance to construction site safety. In response to the fatal industrial incident at the construction site of Kwai Chung Hospital Phase 2 Redevelopment yesterday (March 21), the DEVB, being the party to procure services for public works, has suspended the contractors concerned from tendering for public works contracts pursuant to the regulating regime. 

     The spokesman said that the contractors concerned were under the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works (the List). The DEVB issued notifications to the contractors concerned today to suspend them from tendering for public works contracts in the buildings category with immediate effect. The contractors concerned have to conduct an independent safety audit to review their safety management system. Taking cognisance of the outcome of the independent safety audit, the contractors are required to submit an improvement action plan and implement improvement measures, with a view to demonstrating that they have an effective safety management system before uplifting of the suspension from tendering can be considered. The suspension from tendering is not only confined to future tender exercises, but is also applicable to tender exercises with procedures initiated but not concluded.

     Relevant government department is investigating this industrial incident and will handle it in accordance with the law. Subject to the investigation findings, the DEVB will impose further regulating actions on the contractors concerned later on, including extension of the period of suspension from tendering for public works contracts and even removal from the List.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (March 22) investigating two imported cases of measles infection and reminded the public that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, and people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received a measles vaccination during childhood should review their vaccination history.

     The first case involves a 30-year-old man with good past health. He developed fever, rash and conjunctivitis since March 16. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital on March 19 and was admitted for treatment. His blood sample tested positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to measles virus upon laboratory testing. He is in stable condition. An epidemiological investigation revealed that the patient was born outside Hong Kong and did not receive measles vaccinations in his home country before. His household contact remained asymptomatic. According to the patient, he travelled to Indonesia from March 3 to 9 during the incubation period and did not have contact with measles patients in Hong Kong. The case has been identified as an imported case. The patient had also travelled to Thailand during the communicable period. He departed Hong Kong for Bangkok, Thailand, by flight FD501 on March 15 and returned to Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, by flight FD504 on March 17.

     The second case involves a 27-month-old girl with good past health. She developed fever and cough since March 16 and rash since March 19. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on March 20 and was admitted for treatment the same day. Her respiratory specimen sample tested positive for the measles virus upon nucleic acid testing. She is in stable condition. An epidemiological investigation revealed that the patient did not receive measles vaccinations. Her household contacts remained asymptomatic. According to the family of the patient, she was in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates during the whole incubation period. The patient returned to Hong Kong on March 15 from Dubai by flight EK380. The case has been identified as an imported case.

     As measles is highly infectious and the transmission risk at crowded environment (such as transportation) is higher, the CHP has set up an enquiry hotline (2125 2371) for contact tracing of the two cases and appealed to the passengers of the above-mentioned flights with symptoms of measles to call the hotline. Officers of the CHP will assess their conditions and offer suggestions. The hotline will operate from 9am to 1pm tomorrow (March 23) and on March 24, and from 9am to 5.30pm starting from March 25, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

     Investigations are ongoing.

     "The global immunisation coverage rates have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many countries worldwide are facing a resurgence of measles outbreaks. According to the World Health Organization, the number of measles cases had risen worldwide to over 300 000 cases reported in 2023, a roughly 80 per cent increase from 2022. The Western Pacific region recorded a total of about 5 000 cases in 2023, which represented more than a 2.5 times increase when compared with 2022, with persistent transmission found in the Philippines and Malaysia. In view of the continuous increase in measles cases, the World Health Organization has urged parents to bring their children to get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent measles from spreading," a spokesman for the DH said.

     The spokesman supplemented that, members of the public who are planning to travel to places with a high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received a measles vaccination during childhood. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, with unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity against measles, are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccinations at least two weeks before departure.

     The CHP reiterated that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. During the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years, parents, schools and healthcare workers in Hong Kong continued to support childhood immunisations, striving to maintain the immunisation coverage rates at a high level. As revealed by the vaccination uptake of primary school students and the findings of the territory-wide immunisation surveys regularly conducted by the DH, the two-dose measles vaccination coverage has been consistently maintained at a high level, well above 95 per cent, and the local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most of the people in Hong Kong are immune to measles. On the whole, the information available indicates that the risk of large-scale outbreak is considered to be low in Hong Kong. However, it is possible for some not fully vaccinated people to get infected and transmit the measles virus to susceptible people (including children aged below 1 who are not due for the first dose of measles vaccine).

     The spokesman reminded members of the public that delays in vaccination will weaken the protection for children against measles, and parents are reminded to maintain up-to-date vaccination for their children for comprehensive and timely protection. All people who are non-immune to measles, especially foreign domestic helpers, people working or studying in tertiary institutions, and workers of sea/land/air border control points who may be at a higher risk of contacting an imported case, should receive two doses of measles-containing vaccine. In general, people can be considered as non-immune to measles if they (i) did not have the infection confirmed by laboratory test before, and (ii) had not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines in the past, or have unknown vaccination status or unknown immunity against measles. On the other hand, as measles was endemic in Hong Kong and most parts of the world before 1967, people born before 1967 are considered to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection.

     Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of a skin rash.

     The spokesman advised, "The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals."

     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
 

• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
• Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
• Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of a rash to prevent the spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.

     â€‹For more information on measles, the public may visit the CHP's measles thematic page. Members of the public who are going to travel can visit the website of the DH's Travel Health Service for news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong.