The Customs and Excise Department and the oil industry today (September 16) signed an agreement to renew the Oil Industry Reward Scheme for another year (2008-2009) with effect from October 1, 2008.
The scheme is financed by five oil companies, namely, Chevron Hong Kong Ltd, Chinaoil (Hong Kong) Corporation Ltd, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Ltd, Shell Hong Kong Ltd and SINOPEC (Hong Kong) Ltd.
The scheme was launched in April 1, 1996 to encourage the public to provide information on illicit fuel activities.
Under the scheme, the oil industry will contribute a total of $1 million annually to pay for rewards to people who provide information leading to the seizure and forfeiture of illicit fuel. Higher rewards may be paid for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved under specific circumstances. The reward ranges from $1,500 to a maximum of $170,000 for each case.
A Customs spokesman said today that the scheme reflected the full co-operation and the determination of the oil industry and the department to stamp out illicit fuel activities.
Under the scheme in 2007-2008, rewards totalling $10,000 were paid for information in one case.
To further encourage the public to provide more information on small-scale illicit fuel activities, the threshold for the payment of reward has been lowered for the coming year so that any information leading to the successful seizure and forfeiture of 1,000 litres of motor spirit will be rewarded.
The spokesman appealed to members of the public to provide information to assist its continuous enforcement actions against illicit fuel. All information provided will be kept in confidence.
Information can be given to the Department:
Ends/Tuesday, September 16, 2008
