Suppression, etc of documents

Suppression, etc of documents

There are two offences regulated under section 22 of the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210): Suppression,etc of Documents and Procuring Execution of valuable securities by Deception. 

The offence of “Suppression of Documents” is in relation to valuable security (that is, documents that create, transfer, or record a person’s legal right to money or property), will or other testamentary document, any court or government documents. If a person dishonestly destroys, defaces or conceals any such documents so that himself or others may be benefited or another person would suffer loss, he would be guilty of the offence. 

The offence of “Procuring Execution of valuable securities” means if a person dishonestly procures the execution of a valuable security so that himself or others would be benefited or any other person would suffer loss, he would be guilty of the offence. Execution of a valuable security would also include the making, accepting, endorsing, altering, cancelling or destroying the whole or part of the valuable security. 

For example, if a person provides false documents purporting to evidence a sham transaction in order to procure the Bank to provide him with a Letter of Credit, he may be guilty of Procuring Execution of valuable securities by deception under section 22(2) of the Theft Ordinance. 

The maximum penalty for both offences is 10 years’ imprisonment.