XN000022-1996-11-27 — Page 22

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(b)

(c)

The majority of the cases involving the use of counterfeit notes were discovered by banks in the normal course of their business. Most were deposited by businessmen who had received them in the normal course of their businesses. Nationals from many countries were involved in these cases, but none has been particularly dominating.

The following measures are in place to tackle crimes relating to counterfeit banknotes:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

the Police hold regular meetings with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Note Printing Company to discuss the situation in respect of counterfeit banknotes and the security features to be incorporated into Hong Kong banknotes;

the Police maintain close liaison with overseas law enforcement agencies to share intelligence on counterfeit banknote cases; and

the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Police Force provide regular briefings to banks, financial institutions and relevant Government Departments on how to identify and handle counterfeit banknotes.

These measures have enhanced awareness of counterfeit currency, and increased the number of detected cases on related offences from 4 in 1993 to 18 in 1995, including the two criminal cases mentioned in part (a) of the reply. The number of persons arrested for such offences has also increased from 4 in 1993 to 19 in 1995.