Despite a decline in the number of reported phone scam cases in Hong Kong in the first quarter of the year, there has been a significant increase in the amount of money lost due to these scams. Government official impersonation scams were responsible for the majority of the losses, with 168 cases accounting for at least HK$760 million of the money swindled. This surge in financial losses is concerning, especially as more mainland Chinese students in the city are falling prey to such scams.
According to Senior Inspector Lam Pui-hang of the Hong Kong Police Force’s intelligence gathering and scam response team, there has been a rise in the number of phone scam cases involving mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong. In the first quarter of 2024, a total of 39 cases were recorded, compared to 29 cases in the same period last year. This indicates that scammers are increasingly targeting vulnerable groups, such as students, who may be less experienced in dealing with such fraudulent activities.
One recent case involved an 18-year-old mainland Chinese student, referred to as “Chen”, who shared her experience at a police press conference. The scammers had claimed to be immigration authorities and accused her of posting “undesirable advertisements” under her phone number registered in China, violating Hong Kong laws. They then transferred her to someone claiming to be a mainland Chinese police officer, who accused her of being involved in a money laundering case and presented her with statements from her real bank account showing transfer details, along with an arrest warrant and an order to freeze her bank account.
Chen, who was visibly agitated during the scam, was warned not to reveal any information as the case involved Hong Kong officials and multiple banks, or else she would be arrested immediately. This tactic of instilling fear and urgency is commonly used by scammers to manipulate their victims and prevent them from seeking help or verifying the authenticity of the calls. It is crucial for individuals, especially vulnerable groups like students, to be aware of such tactics and take steps to protect themselves from falling victim to phone scams.
As phone scams continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, it is essential for law enforcement agencies and educational institutions to collaborate in raising awareness about the dangers of such fraudulent activities. By providing students with information on how to recognize and respond to phone scams, as well as creating channels for reporting suspicious calls, these organizations can empower individuals to protect themselves from falling prey to scammers. Additionally, strengthening cybersecurity measures and implementing stricter regulations on phone scams can help deter scammers and reduce the financial losses associated with these fraudulent activities.
