Don't fall prey to scams! Sharp rise in Mainland students targeted by phone scams in HK

Hong Kong police reported a 3.8-fold increase in the monetary loss from phone scams involving fake officials during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. The number of victims among mainland students in Hong Kong is on the rise. Scammers exploit the psychological weakness of these students, who are unfamiliar with Hong Kong's legal system. The police remind "Hong Kong drifters" to verify the identity of suspicious callers and to seek assistance from relevant agencies or call the "anti-scam hotline 18222" for help.

In the first quarter of this year, there were 474 reported phone scam cases, a 21% decrease from last year. However, the total monetary loss from these scams surged by 3.05 times to HK$789 million, with the largest single case amounting to HK$260 million. Losses from fake official phone scams accounted for 97% of the total, reaching HK$764 million. Notably, there has been an increase in the number of phone scams targeting mainland students in Hong Kong, with 39 cases reported in the first quarter, marking a 34% rise from last year.

If in doubt, verify the caller's identity

Scammers may use VoIP technology to alter the caller ID and impersonate law enforcement agencies from mainland China. The police remind the public that real law enforcement officers do not request bank account passwords or instruct people to transfer money to specified accounts over the phone. If anyone claiming to be a law enforcement officer or government official asks for personal information or assets, you should actively verify their identity and confirm with relevant agencies. The police also suggest that mainland students seek assistance from friends or social media groups if they receive suspicious calls. If there are doubts, they can call the anti-scam hotline 18222 for inquiries.

The anti-scam awareness vehicle of the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) visited various districts of Hong Kong from 9 to 20 this month to promote anti-scam information and raise public awareness. The police also remind the public to stay informed about the latest scam tactics. Scammers may impersonate customer service for online shopping or short video platforms, claiming that the victim has activated VIP membership services. They then demand cancellation fees and threaten to freeze the victim's account if they do not transfer funds to a specified account.

Anti-Scam Information Pack

Scammers first pretend to be officials from public health departments, logistics companies, or telecom companies, informing the victim that they have committed an offense abroad. Then another scammer impersonates a mainland law enforcement officer, contacts the victim, and instructs them to provide bank account numbers and passwords for background and asset checks. Unknowingly to the victim, their bank deposits are then transferred.

Senior Inspector Lam Pui-hang of the Commercial Crimes Bureau's ADCC Intelligence and Scam Response Team said that mainland students in Hong Kong are unaware with local regulations. Furthermore, since they are in an unfamiliar place, they have no clue where to seek assistance, making them easy targets for scammers. The scammers even threaten the students, warning them of arrest if they do not comply with instructions or disclose the supposed investigation to others, including family members.

Since last August, the police have worked with more than a dozen Hong Kong institutions to offer lectures on anti-scam awareness. They have also developed an "Anti-Scam Learning Kit" and an "Anti-Scam Knowledge Quiz" to assist mainland students grasp various scam strategies.

Tactics of Fake Official Phone Scams

1. Scammers use VoIP technology to alter the caller ID, making it appear that the call is from a real public security bureau.

2. Scammers show the victim forged police appointment certificates and documents containing personal information, such as counterfeit bank statements and arrest warrants, claiming the victim is involved in a crime.

3. Scammers exploit the psychological vulnerability of the victim being unfamiliar with the Hong Kong environment, threatening to arrest them and demanding they follow instructions to "prove their innocence and clear suspicion".

4. Victims transfer money to the account provided by the scammer or install malware provided by the scammer, leading to the theft of data or assets.