MP investigates phone scam suspect

Police have arrested a man suspected of an alleged phone swindle and investigations are underway, the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) announced yesterday.

The suspect, a Hong Kong resident, along with several others, allegedly swindled a senior Macau resident.

One of the suspects contacted the victim and pretended to be the victim’s son-in-law.

They told the victim they needed money for bail due to a wrongful physical assault allegation.

The Hong Kong man, pretending to be a lawyer, collected the money, which amounted to MOP50,000.

Preliminary investigations indicate the alleged suspect has committed major fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

The Court of Criminal Procedure has accepted the MP’s recommendation to that the suspect be held in custody.

The MP made the recommendation because the suspect is not a Macau resident; and also because of the seriousness of the alleged crime. The MP feared the suspect may flee Macau and continue his alleged criminal activities.

The MP said Macau has seen several cases of fraud using telecommunications in recent days.

Criminals have pretended to be victims’ family members, professionals or public service employees through telephone calls or messages, using various pretexts to request the victims pay or transfer money to designated bank accounts.

The MP has called on the public to report suspicious phone calls or messages to law-enforcement immediately.

Meanwhile, the public should remain vigilant against callers who claim to be relatives, especially when those callers request money. AL