Protect yourself! Identifying common scams in HK

Scam cases in Hong Kong are rising, with fraudsters employing increasingly sophisticated tactics!

In addition to common scams involving virtual currency investments, impersonation of immigration officers, and fake official phone calls, there are also scammers using AI to disguise themselves as friends or family to steal money.

With the school season approaching, these fraudsters are becoming more rampant, so citizens must remain vigilant. What are the common scam tactics? How can you identify them? Let's look at these prevalent scams to keep fraudsters at bay!

"Your insurance trial period has ended; starting tomorrow, you'll be charged HKD$2000 a month!"

This is a new type of scam in Hong Kong targeting individuals who frequently travel to mainland China.

Scammers first call via FaceTime, and if you don't answer, they will call you from a local Hong Kong number.

During the call, they will inform you that your WeChat has activated a feature called "Million Dollar Insurance." They will then warn you not to click on it, claiming that doing so will renew your insurance, resulting in a monthly charge of HKD$2000 starting tomorrow.

If you say you want to cancel the renewal, they will state that it needs to be handled by an Industrial and Commercial Bank employee, then proceed to verify your bank details step by step to steal your money.

This scam has recently evolved to include fake messages warning that "your WeChat fund security insurance will expire today, and HKD$72,000 will be automatically deducted."

Therefore, always be cautious with any calls or messages involving personal or bank information, refunds from online shopping platforms like Taobao or JD, flight compensation, or requests for likes and orders. Avoid clicking on unfamiliar websites. You can usually get a refund through proper channels if you are charged.

"I'm a senior executive; I need you to transfer a large sum of money."

With the advancement of AI technology, some scammers can now use forged videos or voice recordings to commit fraud.

There have been cases where executives of multinational companies were scammed out of HKD$4 million through fake video conferences with AI-generated company leaders.

Scammers may also use AI to mimic the voices and images of victims' friends or family. Therefore, if someone you know or a superior suddenly calls asking for money, do not be quick to comply just because they are a "familiar" person.

Always verify through different communication methods to avoid falling victim.

"We are writing to inform you that a refund of HKD 300,000 has been successfully processed and activated."

Scammers create fake websites to inform victims that the Bank of China has a large refund to return to their accounts and request that victims follow steps to fill out their information, ultimately stealing their balance.

Upon closer inspection, this fake website appears poorly constructed: while operating in Hong Kong, it uses the mainland Bank of China logo; the official notification is written in overly casual language...

Remember, money doesn't just fall from the sky. When encountering any "official" webpage, carefully observe the design, information, and URL to distinguish between real and fake sites.

"Your WhatsApp account has been restricted; please appeal within 12 hours."

Scammers impersonate WhatsApp and send numerous messages stating that "the system has detected violations on your account, and it appears to be a virtual number. If it is a virtual number, please re-register; if not, please visit XX URL to complete verification."

If you click on the URL, you will be asked to provide your phone number, only to be told "verification failed," and a "customer service representative" will contact you.

Scammers will then guide you to their so-called "official site," asking you to scan a QR code and enter a verification code. Once these steps are completed, you have effectively given them access to log into your account from other devices, allowing them to view all your chat history. They can then impersonate you to borrow money from your relatives and friends!

Therefore, never click on unfamiliar links in messages. When receiving messages, carefully check the sender's name and the URL. These fake official sites often change the case of the official URLs or replace original letters with similar-looking ones, such as changing "group" to "qroup," which can easily trick you!

"This is HK Financial Secretary Paul Chan."

Earlier this year, the office of the Financial Secretary announced that fraudulent advertisements and websites using Paul Chan's name and news images were found on various online news platforms and social media, enticing users to click and connect to suspicious trading platforms.

The office urged citizens not to log into suspicious websites or provide personal information to unknown sources to avoid losses.

"This is the Hong Kong Immigration Department; press 1 for Cantonese, 2 for Mandarin."

This is one of the most common scams targeting international students in Hong Kong. Many newcomers have likely received similar calls.

Regardless of whether you press 1 or 2, the scammer on the line will most likely speak Mandarin.

During the call, the scammer will ask or confirm your name, then inform you that there is an important document from the Immigration Department that needs to be delivered or that you have a bad record associated with a phone number in mainland China that could affect your stay in Hong Kong, potentially leading to deportation.

In your confusion, the scammer will then claim to transfer you to the police for further handling, leading to online video operations... If you follow the scammer's instructions, you will not only provide them with important personal information but also suffer financial losses.

Newcomers to Hong Kong should never casually answer calls from strangers and should remember that official agencies like the Immigration Department typically do not notify individuals of important matters via phone or text.

In addition to these scams, there are also part-time job scams, fake app scams, and online trading scams. Given the ever-evolving nature of these fraudulent tactics, everyone must remain vigilant.

Remember the following key points:

1. Don't believe in "money falling from the sky." If there were a large sum of money or a fantastic investment or job opportunity, why would a stranger offer it to you instead of keeping it for themselves? If you receive a threatening message asking you to transfer money, it's definitely a scam!

2. Do not answer unknown calls, especially those starting with 2, 3, or 6. If you do answer an unknown call, don't speak immediately, as scammers may be trying to capture your voice to use AI to impersonate you to your friends and family.

3. Do not trust any unsolicited calls from government agencies. Each agency has its own consultation and complaint channels, including official website forms and inquiry emails. If you have any doubts, seek help through official channels. You can call the relevant office directly to inquire if you're still worried.

4. Do not click on unfamiliar links or download unknown apps. These websites and applications may contain malware, and if you're not careful, you might unknowingly authorize them to steal your important information or remotely control your device.

5. Always verify that voice or video calls from acquaintances are indeed from your "familiar" contacts, preferably through multiple communication channels. If they ask for a large sum of money, it's best to conduct the transaction in person.

Finally, if you encounter a scam, you can call the Hong Kong Police Force Anti-Scam Coordination Centre at "Anti-Scam Helpline Easy 18222" for assistance or report it to the police at 999. To enhance citizens' anti-fraud protection and reduce the risk of falling victim, the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force has launched an upgraded version of the "Scameter+," which we recommend you download or update.

(English Editor: Felicia Li)

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