The Kick-off Ceremony of the Anti-Telephone Deception Week 2018 was held by Crime Kowloon East (Crime KE) at Lok Fu Place on June 10, with the support of Chairmen of District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs), Honorary Presidents of Junior Police Call (JPC) and Senior Police Call (SPC) and more than 800 people from different sectors.

This year, the Force extends the message of anti-telephone deception to the public with the aid of three mascots of the Environmental Protection Department, the Water Supplies Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, namely Big Waster, Water Save Dave and Keep Clean Ambassador Ah Tak. Efforts have also been made to publicise the message to the younger generation through social media platforms.

Speaking at the ceremony, Acting Commissioner Lau Yip-shing reminded members of the public to beware of the prevalent modus operandi of telephone deception, including "Pretend Officials", "Detained Son" and "Guess Who". He advised them to "Hang up", "Verify" and "Get Help" when they receive suspicious phone calls. If in doubt, they should call the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) hotline 18222. Mr Lau stated that the ADCC has received 18 515 calls since the setting up of the hotline last July, adding that $337 million have been successfully intercepted in 209 deception cases.

During the ceremony, Mr Lau appointed singer Mr Andy Hui as Anti-Telephone Deception Ambassador 2018. Mr Hui then attended a dialogue session, conducted by Chief Inspector of KE Regional Crime Unit Tam Wai-shun. Mr Hui identified various types of telephone deception in different scenarios.

Meanwhile, the Force has rolled out a fight phone scam publicity drive at various locations, including hospitals, elderly centres, shopping malls, tertiary institutions, public housing estates, money exchange shops and restaurants. The winning videos of the Anti-Telephone Deception Publicity Video Competition are broadcast in social media and on public transport.