Elderly woman scammed of HK$40,000 bail money by 'daughter's call'

A Hong Kong netizen has shared a disturbing account of how his elderly mother fell victim to an increasingly brazen phone scam, losing HK$40,000 to a woman who personally came to collect the money. The incident, posted in the "Hong Kong Lost and Found" Facebook group, highlights scammers' audacious new tactics in the classic "emergency bail money" scheme.

According to the post, the victim received a call last Wednesday (July 30) around 3 pm from a woman pretending to be her daughter, claiming she needed bail money. By 4:29 pm that same day, a blonde woman in a blue top, shorts, and a beanie arrived at their home to collect the cash - a shockingly bold move that has raised questions about how scammers obtained the residential address.

The victim's son has filed a police report and circulated photos of the suspect, hoping to prevent others from being targeted. His warning has sparked outrage online, with commenters condemning the heartless exploitation of elderly victims. "How dare they go door-to-door? Don't buildings require visitor registration anymore?" one user questioned, while others noted the suspect's youthfulness as particularly disturbing.

The post has prompted others to share similar near-misses. "My mother almost fell for the same story yesterday - she'd already withdrawn the money before we stopped her," one respondent revealed. Many emphasized the importance of family vigilance, advising: "Remember - real bail is always handled at police stations, never at home," and "We need to keep educating our elders about these scams regularly."

Police statistics show telephone deception cases increased 22% year-on-year in the first half of 2024, with the "Guess Who I Am" variant remaining among the most prevalent. Authorities remind citizens that no government agency will ever demand immediate cash payments, especially through unconventional collection methods.

Protection Tips:

1. Verify any emergency claims by calling family members directly
2. Never disclose personal/financial information to unsolicited callers
3. Install call-filtering apps to screen potential scam numbers
4. Discuss common scam tactics with elderly family members regularly

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