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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.
A jewellery store in Tsim Sha Tsui on January 28. Photo: Sam Tsang
Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | Gold scams are a reminder that crime prevention must keep up

The city’s anti-scam work must continue to evolve as scammers exploit new vulnerabilities with AI and seemingly limitless imagination.

Cambodia

US slaps sanctions on Cambodian senator suspected of controlling scam centres

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Chinese history

Inside the 14k, the Hong Kong triad that went global

The Philippines

This retiree in the Philippines downloaded an app. Then he lost his life savings

Industrial-scale malware is replacing ‘pig-butchering’ as Cambodia’s scam hubs pivot to high-speed digital heists.

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“Malware-as-a-service” seizes control of a user’s phone after gaining entry through a fraudulent app, monitoring use in real-time and harvesting data such as fingerprints. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 9 over HK$1.7 million in fake travel insurance claims

Syndicate allegedly faked overseas accidents with forged documents to claim payouts from insurers without ever leaving the city.

Malaysia

How an alleged Malaysian scammer vanished with US$25 billion in life savings

More than 300 ­foreign nationals flock to Malaysia in pursuit of justice over the ‘High Inspirations’ scam.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Scammers trick students abroad into buying gold in fake money-laundering probes

Hong Kong police say at least nine victims studying in UK, Australia and other countries have fallen prey to the scams.

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The students were tricked into buying gold for fake investigations. Photo: Getty Images
Trending in China

China influencer recounts harrowing Cambodia cyber scam plight; live-stream cut short

After her return, Umi tested positive for drugs; doctors suspect her leg pain was from nerve compression due to immobility.

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United States

How a bear costume cost these luxury car insurance scamsters their freedom

A bear-suit scam in California landed three people in jail for faking luxury car damage and seeking US$142,000 in fraudulent insurance claims.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman loses HK$4.9 million to bogus online ‘investment experts’

Victim lured by social media advertisement promising high-return stock investments, police say.

Hong Kong recorded 43,212 crimes last year, nearly half of which were deception cases. Photo: Getty Images
Financial crime

Hot tips, cold reality: China targets online stock scams luring novice investors

Crackdown targets social media accounts offering bogus stock tips, paid groups and AI-driven tools amid surge in retail scams.

Chinese authorities have shut down around 10 social media accounts for illegally recommending individual stocks. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong taxpayers deserve clarity on Covid-era SME loan scheme

In addition to efforts to secure repayment of defaulted loans, the public should receive an accounting of whether the spending was a good investment.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong taxpayers face HK$28 billion Covid bad-loan burden from SMEs

Of 67,189 applications approved under government’s Special 100% Loan Guarantee Scheme, 13,231 had defaulted by end of February.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hongkonger arrested on suspicion of underage sex and scamming girls of HK$33,000

Suspect told girls they could earn money with ‘compensated dating’, only for him to have sex with them and extract cash using excuses, police say.

According to police, the suspect recruited the girls for “compensated dating” with promises of payments of between HK$30,000 and HK$100,000. Photo: Getty Images
Crime in Hong Kong

Number of phishing cases drops in Hong Kong but victims lose more money

Police urge public to be vigilant after separate exercise finds 13 per cent of workers clicked on phishing email links sent as a test.

Police hold a press conference on phishing messages at their headquarters in Wan Chai. Photo: Jelly Tse
Singapore

Singapore drama sparks Malaysian ire over scam hub depiction

Mediacorp defended ‘Highway to Somewhere’ against criticism, saying the show raises scam awareness and highlights Malaysia’s beauty.

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Southeast Asia forced-labour scams

Video | Inside a scam centre on the Cambodia-Thailand border

The town-sized O’Smach Resort complex, which once housed 29 scam companies, occupies roughly 80 hectares (197 acres).

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Thailand

Thailand seizes US$260 million from scammers in ‘decisive’ crackdown

The latest seizure includes cash, cars and bank deposits, bringing the total value of assets confiscated to more US$620 million.

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A fake Singapore police station is seen inside an abandoned scam centre in O’Smach town on the Thai-Cambodian border on March 12. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong courts

Cook jailed for 11 months over selling account used to dupe Tai Po fire donors

Cham Shu-shing also fined HK$4,500 for selling Alipay digital wallet to scammers, knowing it would be used for illegal purposes.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong car owner loses HK$500,000 in fuel membership card scam

Fraudsters exploit surging fuel prices by offering bogus prepaid petrol card deals, police say.

Cambodia

Why Cambodia’s new law may do little to combat its scam centres

Analysts warn the lack of provisions addressing the role officials and networks play in enabling scams may limit the law’s effectiveness.

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Computers and workstations seized by police during an online scam crackdown at a hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in March. Photo: Reuters
Cambodia

Opinion | To beat Cambodia’s scam gangs, US must work with China – not blame it

Taking down the deeply rooted, well-connected syndicates would require both Washington’s economic leverage and Beijing’s operational efforts.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Chinese Basketball Association

Chinese basketballer Guo Ailun reportedly lost 10 million yuan in investing scam

Guo and his family are allegedly victims of large-scale fraud perpetrated by a close friend, a mainland sports media outlet reports.

Crime in Hong Kong

Warning issued after university student loses HK$190,000 in internship scam

Police say fraudsters held 40-minute online orientation and communicated with victim entirely in English.

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China-Asean relations

Cambodia’s high-stakes war on online scam compounds

Cambodia has vowed to stamp out the scam compounds on its soil by month’s end – but perpetrators remain drawn to the potential for huge profits.

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Illustration: Davies Christian
Singapore

50,000 scam calls in 50 minutes drain US$1.2 million from Singapore victims

A Malaysian man hired by a gang, who set up the devices at a flat in the city state, was sentenced to jail for five years and three months.

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A man was jailed for setting up devices enabling 50,000 automated scam calls, costing victims in Singapore US$1.2 million. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman loses HK$2.5 million in online collagen drinks scam

Victim tried to buy collagen drinks for HK$530 but was told the goods were out of stock and was offered refund.

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Crime in Hong Kong

ICAC arrests 10 over using triad links to win HK$160 million renovation project

Operation by ICAC also led police to arrest 32 individuals in raids on premises believed to be controlled by bid-rigging syndicate’s triad elements.

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