DINERS have been warned to beware when handing over their credit cards to pay in busy restaurants - they might be giving them to criminals posing as restaurant captains.
Two people lost tens of thousands of dollars in the last two weeks when they handed over their credit cards – and the imposter ran off for a shopping spree.
Two people lost tens of thousands of dollars in the last two weeks when they handed over their credit cards – and the imposter ran off for a shopping spree.
At a Maxim’s restaurant in Tseung Kwan O a woman on March 21 gave a credit card to pay her bill, but the “captain” did not return. By the time she reported the loss, her card had been used to fund a shopping spree worth about HK$100,000 in the same mall.
A similar incident in Telford Plaza in Kowloon Bay – also at a Maxim’s restaurant – on March 13 saw a customer lose about HK$20,000.
Both incidents are being investigated by police.
A spokesman for Maxim’s said staff have been told to watch out for suspicious people wearing restaurant uniforms and urged customers not to hand over cards or cash until they see the printed bills.
Hong Kong Catering Industry Association vice president Thomas Woo Chu warned people to be on guard when settling a bill for themselves and friends.
Customers may not even try to check the bill or note who has taken their credit cards, he said. “They simply fight to be the one to pay the money or give their credit cards to the restaurant staff. Sometimes the situation can be so chaortic.”
Woo also warned that people were more likely to be targets for fraudsters during busy times.
Similar crimes in the past have included criminals going to wedding parties and pretending to be members of the family of a bride or bridegroom to con guests out of cash and valuables.
(Adapted from an article in The Standard
on March 25, 2010)
I was very angry and shocked when I learnt about this news. Since Hong Kong is an international metropolis, this will affect the tourism and food industries and its reputation.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, this reveals the anti-crime awareness of Hongkongers is very weak. When they pay for meals, they should witness all the procedure to ensure no mistakes. Therefore, if they pay the meals through the restaurant captains, they need to supervise their further action. If they are fake captain, they can realise them immediately.
Besides, I reckon that the restaurants also have the responsibility. During the busy time, they should have enough captains with well dressed uniforms. Then, the criminals cannot have the chance.
After reading this news, I felt really surprised. I thought that it is unbelievable as I haven't heard of this kind of case before.
ReplyDeleteBesides, if I were the "captains", I would feel very shame. Since I used the illegal way to gain money.
Lastly, being a honest person is more important than being a rich person.
I was surprised after reading this news. I could not imagine that how this kind of crime happened in Hong Kong, an international city. I think the payer need to bear some responsibility. As they should check the bill before they sign their name, they are too careless in handling the bills. Also, restaurants may install some cameras to record what is happening in the restaurant. If there is any crime happens, the recording may help the police to investigate the case.
ReplyDeleteFor those cases mentioned above, I heard about it before when I was watching a tv programme. At that time, I was surprised that there were people who were very bold to do these things. I think we should have a habit to check the bills to prevent careless mistakes caused by the workers there even though there isn't any this kind of crime because it is important to protect our properties.
ReplyDeleteMoreover,after we know there are these kind of crimes occured,the restaurant staff should take action to prevent this kind of crime happen, such as improve the security system of the restaurant and make sure the staff can remember the appearance of the "real" manager and the other workers so that there will not have crime occured in the restaurant.
When I was small, I already know credit card is an unreliable tool. I think that credit card still carry many problems; we must be careful while using credit card. For example, never give your credit card to any guy you don’t know. It can prevent those guys to use your credit card. Also, if you really lost it, phone to your credit card company and told them to cut the service at once. It is because every minutes is a chance for the criminals to steal your money.. Moreover, you can use less credit card service. Nowadays, some people have more than 4 or 5 cards in their wallet because each of them carries different use, this can have 50% loss of that certain product, thsi can get something if we have enough points…etc. It is very dangerous in fact because every more credit cards increase the chance to lose it. Lastly, if you are so afraid with these trap, I suggest you to bring cash instead of credit card.
ReplyDeleteA credit card can be safe to use or not because there will have a record of who has got money and where the money is token from.
ReplyDelete