Reselling NDP tickets is 'cheating'

I refer to the report "Reselling (NDP) tickets not illegal but frowned upon" (The New Paper, July 8).

With utmost sympathy for the scalper's plight and respect to the legal luminary referred to, I believe the sale of National Day Parade tickets constitutes an offence of "cheating" under Section 415 of the Penal Code.

The notice inviting applications clearly stipulates that the NDP and Preview tickets are not for sale.

When one applies, one is in effect making a representation to the NDP organisers that the ticket will not be sold.

If the applicant later sells the ticket in breach of such a representation, he or she can be accused of deception under Section 415 of the Penal Code.

This offence is punishable with a fine or imprisonment of up to three years.

Prosecution is within the sole discretion of the Attorney General. Yet, a test case may be made as profiteering from the sale of NDP tickets is unforgivable, unjustified and unpatriotic.