Hongkong Post today (December 22) reminded the public to be alert to pop-up scams with links to fraudulent Hongkong Post websites which request customers to provide personal and/or credit card information to win a prize.

     Such fraudulent websites impersonating those of Hongkong Post invite participation in online survey or lucky draw through pop-up windows, and request participants to provide personal and/or credit card information to win a prize. Please note that Hongkong Post has not conducted any online survey or luck draw at the moment. Members of public are advised not to click on any suspicious links or pop-up windows, disclose any of their personal and/or credit card information, nor make any payment. Hongkong Post has reported such fraudulent websites to the Police for investigation.

     If the public are in doubt about the authenticity of any email, SMS message or website, please do not click on their embedded links, provide personal or credit card information or make any payment. For enquiries, please call the Hongkong Post General Enquiry Hotline at 2921 2222.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 21) seized about 720 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $910,000 at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A 40-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Entebbe, Uganda via Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday, and was about to depart for Macao. He was found to be suspicious upon customs clearance and was suspected to have dangerous drugs concealed inside his body cavity. He was escorted to hospital for examination and later discharged the batch of suspected cocaine. He was then arrested.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 23). 

     Customs will continue to apply risk assessment strategy to select inbound, outbound and transit passengers for clearance to intercept different kinds of drug trafficking activities.

     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).

  

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (December 22) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.
 

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 22) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     For media enquiries, please contact the News Duty Officer (pager: 7328 3855).