Public Order | 343
Although counterfeit currencies were found in Hong Kong, the scale remained small and did not pose a significant threat to the monetary system.
Through close cooperation between the Force and the payment card industry, the number of counterfeit credit cards found and the value of fraudulent transactions decreased substantially in 2003 and 2004. The seizure of counterfeit credit cards dropped by 64 per cent compared with the 1 599 seized in 2003.
Technology Crime
The number of technology crime cases reported for the year stood at 560, a small drop of 4.7 per cent compared with 588 in 2003, but the value of loss increased to $13.1 million.
Bogus websites relating to banks or financial institutions on the Internet had become a concern since late 2003. While most of these websites were hosted overseas, the Police Force secured the prompt closure of these websites through effective cooperation with overseas law enforcement agencies. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Securities and Futures Commission repeatedly issued warnings to raise public awareness of such bogus websites.
In a series of cases in September, criminal syndicates successfully obtained bank account details and passwords through 'phishing' e-mails, and made unauthorised transfers of deposits over the internet from the bank accounts of victims. Swift police action over the cases resulted in over 20 arrests and prosecution of some of the offenders. Subsequently, many banks imposed enhanced security restrictions on inter- account transfers to prevent recurrence of similar cases. The Technology Crime Division of the Commercial Crime Bureau has continued to work closely with overseas law enforcement agencies, relevant government departments, information technology professionals and other agencies to address the evolving nature of technology crime. The Hong Kong Police took over the chairmanship of the Interpol Asia-South Pacific Working Party on Information Technology Crime in December 2004.
Narcotics
In 2004, the number of cases involving psychotropic drugs recorded a significant rise due to the Police targeting drug-related activities. A total of 71 kilograms of ketamine, 28 kilograms of methamphetamine, 201 kilograms of cannabis and 321 004 ecstasy-type tablets were seized. Moreover, 42.73 kilograms of cocaine were seized in 2004, which showed an increasing trend when compared with the seizure of seven kilograms in 2003.
In operations targeting narcotic drugs, the Police Force seized 42 kilograms of heroin and dismantled a heroin cutting centre. Enforcement actions also neutralised the operation of a number of premises used as divans where heroin was being sold and abused.
In 2004, the number of persons arrested for all kinds of drug offences totalled 8 295, compared with 8 652 in 2003. Among them, 1 299 were aged 16 to 20 years and 85 were aged under 16. Compared with 2003, there was an increase of 14.1 per
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344 Public Order