Other Video

• Press conference on telephone deception: Part I (2015-7-14)
• Press conference on telephone deception: Part II (2015-7-14)
• Telephone Deception 1 –relatives in need of money (2014-06-14)
• Telephone Deception 2 - impersonating Government official (2015-06-20)

Latest Trend

In recent scenarios, fraudsters pretended to be couriers and telephoned victims, alleged that parcels under victims’ names were involved in criminal activities violating the Mainland law. The telephone line was then diverted to other fraudsters who claimed themselves law enforcement agents in the Mainland. The victims were asked to browse a fraudulent website of the said law enforcement department where bogus arrest warrants in relation to themselves were found. With an excuse of proving their innocence, the fraudsters requested the victims to provide their personal information, remit money to designated bank accounts in the Mainland, or directly handed cash to purported police officers impersonated by the fraudsters. In some occasions, the fraudsters ordered the victims to hide themselves in hotel and stop all forms of communication. The fraudsters then called the relatives of victims, alleged having kidnapped them and demanded for ransoms.

In recent scenarios, fraudsters pretended to be couriers  and telephoned victims, alleged that parcels under victims’ names were involved in criminal activities violating the Mainland law.  The telephone line was then diverted to other fraudsters who claimed themselves law enforcement agents in the Mainland.  The victims were asked to browse a fraudulent website of the said law enforcement department where bogus arrest warrants in relation to themselves were found.  With an excuse of proving their innocence, the fraudsters requested the victims to provide their personal information, remit money to designated bank accounts in the Mainland, or directly handed cash to purported police officers impersonated by the fraudsters.  In some occasions, the fraudsters ordered the victims to hide themselves in hotel and stop all forms of communication. The fraudsters then called the relatives of victims, alleged having kidnapped them and demanded for ransoms.

There were other instances where the fraudsters pretended to be other public officials and gave victims voice message phone calls.  The victims first received incoming call display showing the same phone number as the public offices and were diverted to other fraudsters who claimed themselves law enforcement agents in the Mainland and alleged the victims of being involved

Other Common M.O.

Some fraudsters telephone victims and assume the identity of one of the victim's relatives, friends or business associates. The fraudster claims that he/she is in need of money as experiencing financial difficulties, being detained due to outstanding debts, or being arrested for having committed an offence outside Hong Kong.  The victim is then instructed not to hang up the phone, and is asked to either deposit money into a designated bank account, or place it at a designated location, or hand it to an accomplice.

Our Advice

• Law enforcement agents in the Mainland will never request Internet banking passwords nor any money to prove your innocence.  They will not issue arrest warrants via the Internet, neither;
• If the callers claimed themselves agents of law enforcement departments or other offices and requested for your personal data and property with various reasons, contact the corresponding offices for verification of identity of callers;
• Do not transfer money to strangers’ bank accounts or place any money at public area;
• Do not disclose your bank account numbers and Internet banking passwords;
• If the callers claimed having kidnapped your children, relatives or friends, call the police immediately;
• Do not believe what the fraudsters say, call your children, relatives or friends for verification;
• Do not disclose the names of your children, relatives or friends;
• Remind the elders the above scam prevention messages, especially those who rarely read newspaper or watch television.