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Scams and swindles

Some of the ploys to defraud the fund saw suspects fake car accidents and forge medical documents. Photo: Jelly Tse

275 arrested in Hong Kong over faking traffic accidents, papers to get handouts

Staged accidents include bus crash arranged by crime syndicate to collect money from government fund for victims.

4 China KOLs ruin reputations selling fake mooncakes, illegal stocks and assaulting

Hong Kong police arrest boy, 14, over collecting cash in HK$554,000 phone scam

Mainland China woman crashes Hong Kong nuptials as friend, posts videos enjoying banquet

Intruder in danger of prosecution under Hong Kong law for obtaining property, such as suckling pig, by deception.

A woman from mainland China sneaked into a wedding banquet in Hong Kong posing as a friend to enjoy the banquet before posting videos of the event online. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin

Hong Kong police warn that scammers posing as officers and IT staff

Police chief urges vigilance over ‘despicable scammers’, as force launches second round of raffle to raise public awareness about fraud.

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Letters | Can Hong Kong really get ahead of scammers?

Readers discuss how ubiquitous scams and fraud have become, why rule of law matters in discussions on marriage equality and help for our struggling elderly.

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Thai con woman arrested for not singing Indonesia’s anthem while posing as local

Immigration issues lead authorities to uncover Thai woman on the run for committing staggering US$59 million fraud in native country.

The Thai YouTuber exploited her online fame to deceive her followers out of nearly US$60 million. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@nutty.suchataa

Hongkongers suffer more digital fraud than global peers, survey says

Gen Z users are in the crosshairs of online scammers who prowl forums and dating sites for prey, according to TransUnion.

Hong Kong court orders HK$1.85 million recovery in first civil suit against JPEX

District Court rules platform breached its duty, ‘wrongfully’ transferred away plaintiffs’ assets to other unknown crypto wallets.

Hong Kong police install 504 CCTVs, with possible use for counterterrorism

Secretary for Security Chris Tang says he will not exclude using surveillance camera push to combat terrorism.

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Police’s surveillance cameras installed on Wellington Street in Central. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong police called to crypto store after woman scammed out of HK$93,000

Source says man tricked victim into transferring crypto in person, leaving her at shop and telling her his associate would return with cash.

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Police have listed the case as obtaining property by deception. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong police arrest 11 for allegedly conducting fraudulent MPF withdrawals

Suspects used fake documents to help more than 800 residents take out funds amounting to HK$145 million.

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Exclusive | Hong Kong ATMs to have pop-up warnings as scam losses mount to HK$6.41 billion

Police chief Raymond Siu also warns that deepfake-technology scams are likely to be the next major form of swindling to plague the city.

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59 Hongkongers fall victim to ‘naked-chat blackmail’, including 4 women

Police reveal figures on CyberDefender Facebook page, saying victims were coerced into paying more than HK$1.9 million.

Police say fraudsters sought to establish trust with their victims before coaxing them to undress on video calls. Photo: Shutterstock

Vietnam sentences death row tycoon to life imprisonment for money laundering

Truong My Lan was already convicted in April by the same Ho Chi Minh City court of fraud amounting to US$12.5 billion.

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Vietnamese real estate tycoon Truong My Lan (middle) sits in court to wait for her verdict. She was already convicted in April by the same Ho Chi Minh City court of fraud amounting to US$12.5 billion. Photo: AP

Hundreds of Chinese men arrested over online scams in Sri Lanka

Cybercrime raids also uncovered two suspects from Vietnam, as well as one each from Thailand and the Philippines.

Hong Kong gang uses deepfake tech to cheat love-struck men out of HK$360 million

Victims included men from Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, India and Singapore, police say.

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81 Hongkongers swindled out of HK$12 million in online job scams in past week

One victim duped out of more than HK$400,000 in click farming job scam after receiving WhatsApp message, police say.

The force has advised residents to use its Scameter search engine to check for suspicious or fraudulent schemes. Photo: SCMP

Explainer | How Hongkongers can stop thieves stealing their valuables while flying

The Post learns why direction your bag faces in overhead compartment can offer protection, among other advice, amid spike in on-board thefts.

Hong Kong reports 164% rise in number of thefts on inbound flights

Police say 132 thefts in eight-month period higher than 2023 full-year figure, with passenger losing HK$4.16 million watch in largest case.

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Chinese burglary gang bust raises crime concerns in Malaysia amid visa-free policy

The incident, coupled with recent immigration scandals and the influx of Chinese tourists and investors, has fuelled concern about criminal activity in Malaysia.

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On Monday, Malaysian police arrested six Chinese nationals and one local man believed to be part of a burglary gang active since January. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong’s financial regulator introduces a responsibility plan as scams surge

About HK$4.5 billion in losses have been incurred from scam and fraud cases in the city in the first six months of 2024.

People pass through Hong Kong’s financial district. Photo: Dickson Lee

Philippines’ Alice Guo running for mayor ... again?

Her lawyer said Guo would run again, even as she faces criminal charges, espionage accusations and doubts over her citizenship.

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6 Chinese nationals arrested during burglary raids in Malaysia

The suspects, who targeted homes while occupants were away, are believed to be responsible for multiple burglaries across Malaysia.

‘Evolving’ Southeast Asia scammers stole up to US$37 billion in 2023: UN

The UN says the region has become a hotbed for money laundering, and illegal gambling, with criminal groups using advanced technologies to expand operations.

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The transnational organised crime threat landscape in Southeast Asia is evolving faster than in any previous point in history, the UN said. Photo: Shutterstock

Singapore tightens anti-money-laundering rules, but remains ‘open for business’

The new measures come after a high-profile multibillion-dollar case involving foreign nationals.

The iconic Merlion statue in Singapore. Photo: Harvey Kong

190 Chinese workers among 250 detained in Philippine scam farm raid

Officials said the suspects were allegedly involved in ‘love scamming’ schemes targeting foreign nationals.

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Love scammers trick 20 Hongkongers out of HK$12 million

Twenty reports of online romance scams made over past week, police say.

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Scams and swindles
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Scams and swindles. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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