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Recently conmen have changed their modus operandi. In some phone scams, the conmen posed as "public security officials" on the Mainland or staff members of banks or courier companies. To highlight the trend of phone scams, Hong Kong Island (HKI) Region and Tai Po District (TPDIST) launched publicity drives on July 15 to give the public a better understanding of conmen's modus operandi.
HKI Region
During HKI Region's publicity drive known as "FOOTROWER", detectives and uniformed officers from the police districts in HKI Region, with arrangements made by the Regional Crime Prevention Office, called at money services operators and gave an update on the changed modus operandi with a view to enhancing communication and co-operation. In addition, large-scale publicity activities were carried out in bank areas and other busy areas to remind the public to remain vigilant.
The Police Community Relations Offices in HKI Region also enlisted the assistance of Junior Police Call (JPC) and Senior Police Call (SPC) members in handing out scam prevention fliers to the public and driving home the message of joining hands with the police to combat phone scams.
TPDIST
On the same day, TPDIST staged an "Anti-Telephone Deception Campaign Day". Presiding at a launching ceremony were Acting TPDIST Commander Lau Fung-ha, Chairman of Tai Po District Council, Mr Cheung Hok-ming, Vice-chairman, Ms Wong Pik-kiu, and Chairman of Tai Po District Fight Crime Committee (DFCC), Mr Kwok Wing-keung.
Members of Tai Po District Council and Tai Po DFCC, local dignitaries, as well as members of JPC and SPC turned out in force to support the publicity drive.
On that day, anti-phone deception leaflets were distributed to remind the public to beware of phone calls from strangers and verify callers' identities.
The event concluded with the guests viewing the award-winning film of an Anti-Deception Short Film Competition. Produced by students of the Tai Po Old Market Public School (Plover Cove), the short film effectively raised public awareness of phone scam.
