Scalpers are disrupting applications for Hong Kong and Macao travel permits by taking the free application numbers and selling them to customers eager to travel to those destinations on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, according to officials at the travel permit offices under the Public Security Bureau.

Police have vowed to crack down on such practices, according to a Daily Sunshine report on Saturday.

Applications for travel permits to Hong Kong and Macao had risen sharply over the last couple of weeks, said Futian District police. The travel permit offices distribute 1,000 application numbers every day between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. But in recent days all the application numbers have been given out by 9:30 a.m.

Scalpers are widely seen to sell application numbers for between 20 (US$2.4) and 50 yuan at the city's travel permit offices. Police have warned the public not to buy application numbers from scalpers.

Police also advise applicants who want their permits stamped only can apply on the Internet at www.sz3e.com, or by calling 95000100, or by visiting the post office.

Source: Shenzhen Daily