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Scams and swindles

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
Posters of Andy Lau’s concert outside the Hong Kong Coliseum. Photo: Edmond So
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 13 who sold non-existent tickets to Andy Lau concerts

Highest individual loss was HK$640,000 for purchase of 544 tickets to Lau’s shows.

Chinese tourists

Thai PM’s AI video aims to calm Chinese tourists’ nerves as bookings dip

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Financial crime

HSBC touts 50% increase in suspicious transactions halted in past year

Crime in Hong Kong

Electric shocks, physical assault: inside Southeast Asia’s forced labour camps

Recent high-profile rescue of mainland actor Wang Xing has put the plight of thousands trapped in compounds in focus.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong

Editorial | Student scams also cost reputation of Hong Kong as an education hub

Those who come to Hong Kong universities to learn do not expect to lose millions to fraud, and no effort must be spared to protect them.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Thailand assures Hongkongers over safety amid forced labour scams

Thai consulate in Hong Kong says country is working with neighbouring countries to clamp down on scam farms.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Second University of Hong Kong student falls victim to phone scam

Police source says mainland Chinese student tricked by fraudster pretending to be Immigration Department staff.

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The University of Hong Kong has implemented a scam prevention quiz, with mainland students among those required to complete the questionnaire. Photo: Dickson Lee
Myanmar

Myanmar deports over 50,000 suspected online scammers to China amid crackdown

Myanmar’s ruling junta has called on neighbouring countries to help combat the issue, which analysts say is worth billions of dollars.

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Thailand

Thai government under pressure to revise visa-free policy for Chinese tourists

Thai senator urges roll-out of visa-on-arrival initiative for Chinese tourists that will require them to give details of their travel itinerary.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmaker under fire for jabs at ex-politician helping scam victims

Joephy Chan accuses former district councillor Andy Yu of using Southeast Asia scam victim cause to gather support for election bid.

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Joephy Chan of the Federation of Trade Unions. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong society

Second Hong Kong man rescued from Southeast Asia scam farm: ex-politician

Former District Councillor Andy Yu tells the Post the man has fled to Bangkok after four months of captivity.

A family member of a kidnapped victim is accompanied by former District Councillor Andy Yu (right) to petition for help. Photo: Jelly Tse
Trending in China

China live-streamer calls woman ‘mum’, uses emotion to scam her out of US$76,000

Online racketeer pretends to be like elderly woman’s loving son, convinces her to hand over large sums, is eventually snared by police.

India

‘I’ve lost sleep’: India’s ‘digital arrest’ scam leaves victims in financial ruin

India’s ‘digital arrest’ scam sees fraudsters posing as police, exploiting data from the country’s digital identity programme to steal life savings.

Crime in Hong Kong

Scam action urged as university students in Hong Kong lose HK$75 million

Lawmakers say mainland students should fill in an anti-scam questionnaire before their visas are issued.

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The University of Hong Kong said that more than 60 students had fallen prey to scams in recent months. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, mainland authorities ‘explore how to save Chinese students from scams’

Source also says University of Hong Kong is latest institution to adopt scam prevention quiz, with mainland students required to complete it.

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Hong Kong has witnessed an increase in mainland students falling victim to scams. Photo: Dickson Lee
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong security chief defends city’s role in recovery of scam farm captives

Some residents previously held captive in Southeast Asia managed to return to Hong Kong after families paid ransoms.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong to probe role of crime groups in luring victims to scam farms

Secretary for Security Chris Tang also vows authorities will do ‘utmost’ to rescue 11 Hong Kong residents held captive in Southeast Asia.

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Thailand

Thailand’s PM Paetongtarn reveals scam attempt asking her for ‘a donation’

Paetongtarn Shinawatra also spoke at a meeting of Asean digital ministers where she called for region-wide efforts to fight online scams.

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Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was the target of a scam attempt. Photo: AP
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong issues red travel alert for parts of Myanmar amid job scams

Security chief Chris Tang meets Myanmar’s consul general in city to follow up on job scams.

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Crime in Hong Kong

University of Hong Kong student loses HK$9.2 million in phone scam

Insider says police have launched manhunt for two fraudsters over scam.

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Malaysia

Malaysian freed from Cambodian scam centre over lack of computer, English skills

The 38-year-old single father, who lost 20kg during his captivity, had been duped into travelling to Cambodia on an offer to work as a driver for US$5,000.

A Malaysian father, lacking computer and English skills, was freed from a Cambodian scam syndicate after being lured by a fake job offer. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

Singapore’s Alice Guo probe spotlights ‘domino effect’ of transnational crime

Zhang Jie, one of Guo’s alleged associates, is a Singaporean national who purportedly helped in her escape from the Philippines last year.

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Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo attending a hearing at the Philippine Senate in September 2024. Photo: Handout/EPA-EFE
Hong Kong society

Hongkongers in Southeast Asia now have ‘higher chance’ to be saved: Chris Tang

Security chief vows to spare no effort to bring scam victims home, as he urges families to report ransom calls.

Fame and celebrity

Brad Pitt isn’t messaging you, rep warns, after fan loses life savings in scam

A French woman lost US$850,000 to fraudsters posing as the Hollywood star online.

Hong Kong

Overseas job offers may appear attractive but due diligence in order

Measures by Thai authorities to protect visitors – including those from Hong Kong – by heading off sham offers of lucrative work a welcome step.

The shadows of travellers are projected on the wall of the departure hall in Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Elson Li
Crime in Hong Kong

Woman, 32, arrested after allegedly luring 2 Hongkongers to Southeast Asia

Suspect allegedly met victims at bars and offered them free drinks, entertainment and flights to Thailand.

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(Left to right) Chief Inspector Yu Pok-hon, Superintendent Iu Wing-kan and Chief Inspector Chan Wing-kwan brief the press on Wednesday. Photo: Jelly Tse
Malaysia

As Singapore cracks down on online financial scams, will Malaysia follow suit?

Malaysia and Thailand are reviewing their own laws against online fraud, with an eye on Singapore’s Protection from Scams bill.

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Hong Kong politics

Explainer | How can Hongkongers protect themselves from Southeast Asian job scams?

Hong Kong authorities have come under renewed pressure to ensure the return of residents believed to be held captive in the region.

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