Cybercrime
Obtaining property by deception
The offence of "obtaining property by deception" is defined in Section 17 of the Theft Ordinance (Chapter 210). The offence is committed when a person by deception dishonestly obtains property belonging to another, with the intention of permanently depriving the other of the property. A key element of the offence is deception, which distinguishes the offence from mere theft. "Deception" in this context means any deception by words or conduct and includes a deception as to fact or as to law, a deception relating to the past, the present or the future, and a deception as to the intention of any person (Section 17(4)). The offence is punishable by a maximum sentence of imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction on indictment.
