Payment cards: two jailed for bribery in credit card skimmer scam

TSUI Ka Llok, 39, a former assistant restaurant manager of the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, received a jail term of two months. CHENG Yat Keung, 45, unemployed, was jailed for 17 months.

Magistrate Mr Peter LAW Tak Chuen remarked that jail sentences were imposed on Tsui and Cheng in view of the serious credit card bribery scam. But Cheng was given a heavier jail term as he was the instigator of the scam.

Tsui and Cheng earlier pleaded guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. Cheng also admitted to one count of possessing equipment for the making of false instruments.

The court heard that at the time of the offences, Tsui was an assistant restaurant manager posted to a restaurant in the hotel. He was responsible for serving customers and processing payments by way of cash or credit cards.

In mid 2009, Cheng, who had known Tsui for 20 years, asked Tsui to supply him with credit card data of the hotel's customers and offered to pay Tsui HKD400 for each set of credit card data Tsui obtained.

Tsui initially turned down the offer, but eventually agreed to capture a few sets of credit card data for Cheng, the court heard.

Cheng then gave Tsui an electronic device known as "skimmer", and taught him how to use it.

Tsui used the "skimmer" to capture three sets of credit card data from his restaurant customers in November 2009, when they made payments with their credit cards.

Tsui and Cheng were arrested by ICAC officers on 4 December, 2009, when Cheng was found in possession of the "skimmer" with the captured credit card data intended for making counterfeit credit cards.

When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, Tsui and Cheng made admissions of their wrongdoings. Cheng also admitted that he intended to sell the captured credit card data to a mainlander for HKD800 per set.

The hotel prohibited its employees from accepting any advantage in relation to its business, the court was told.