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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.
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Hong Kong society

Fact-Check | ‘SCMP report’ claiming Hongkongers ‘will receive income from taxes’ is fake

A website claiming to promote a trading platform uses fabricated Post article to push hoax.

Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | Hong Kong’s fight against SIM card fraud must still preserve rights

Crime in Hong Kong

Price of ‘easy money’: Hong Kong teens held over alleged illegal debt collection

Cambodia

27 Chinese nationals among 1,000 arrested in Cambodia scam raids

A recent report by Amnesty International into cybercrime in Cambodia highlights state complicity in abuses by Chinese criminal gangs.

Suspects are seen with their hands tied after being detained during a police raid on a scam centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Crime

Chinese police investigating 5 missing teens warn of telecoms crime risk

Some families report their missing loved one was last seen in a border area or relatives had received messages from Myanmar.

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Crime

Europol-led global swoop takes down pro-Russian cybercrime network

‘NoName057(16)’ group, which targeted Ukraine and its allies with DDoS attacks, had its infrastructure disrupted across more than a dozen nations.

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The Philippines

How a scam network evolved after a nationwide crackdown in the Philippines

Observers warn the Pogo industry’s replication in Pakistan is part of ‘a natural progression’ for illegal networks.

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Philippine pesos in a casino. Revenue from Pogo operations peaked at US$116.4 million in 2018. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

Online job scams in Hong Kong jump 92% amid rise in ‘click farming’ tactics

Police say 2,148 online employment scams recorded from January to May, up about 92 per cent over same period last year.

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Banking & finance

Stablecoin scams put China’s financial regulators in a high-stakes balancing act

After millions were defrauded by a stablecoin-linked investment ploy, local-level governments started sending out warnings.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Lawmakers warn SIM card limits won’t stem tide of phone scams in Hong Kong

Lawmaker Peter Shiu calls for tightening proposed measures by limiting number of service providers people can register SIM cards with.

A SIM card store on Apliu Street in Sham Shum Po. Photo: Sun Yeung
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong couple arrested over trying to open HSBC account with fake bonds

Alleged incident was reported to force by bank staff at 12.35pm on Monday, prompting officers to arrest couple for using false instrument.

While police stopped short of directly naming the company involved in the case, it said the suspects had gone to a bank on 29 Queen’s Road Central, which is the location of an HSBC branch. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Thailand

Decline in Chinese tourists sees Thailand target Southeast Asia, Middle East

Thailand cut its 2025 foreign arrival forecast from 40 million to 35 million due to safety concerns for Chinese tourists after incidents like actor Wang Xing’s kidnapping.

Crime in Hong Kong

Phone scams in Hong Kong up 22% in first 5 months of year but losses down

Police say losses have fallen more than 60 per cent due to fewer cases involving mainland Chinese students, who tend to be cheated out of larger amounts.

Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong must stop loan sharks from preying on the vulnerable

Consultation must result in reforms that better protect the public and ensure city’s notorious loan sharks are not able to prosper.

Gloves, paint and humiliating posters were among the accoutrements of suspected debt collectors recently arrested by Hong Kong police on suspicion of criminal damage and intimidation. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

2 arrested in Hong Kong after victims lose HK$10 million in fake-official scams

Scammers had asked accomplices to meet victims in hotels under the guise of conducting investigations, police say.

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Police say the scammers used fake documents to deceive their victims. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong ‘firefighter’ arrested for alleged dine-and-dash date scams

Police say man arrested on suspicion of obtaining property by deception for posing as firefighter to trick women into paying for lavish meals.

Trending in China

China phone crooks use AI-cloning for scam, crank calls used to get real voice to mimic

Nighttime con gang targets vulnerable in elderly homes where landline phones remain prevalent, victims think loved one urgently needs cash.

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Pakistan

48 Chinese among 149 arrested in Pakistan scam centre raid

Citizens from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar were also arrested for allegedly running Ponzi schemes and collecting money illegally from the public.

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A Pakistani police raid uncovered a scam call centre in Faisalabad, arresting 149, including 71 foreigners. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong tech and telecoms giants unite to combat online fraud

Seven social media platforms and six telecommunications firms commit to stricter checks and enhanced user safety under new charter.

The Philippines

‘More dangerous’ than Pogos: should Philippines ban online gambling?

A surge in online gambling sites and Filipinos hooked on them has led to lawmakers seeking a ban against the ‘silent epidemic’.

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Hong Kong society

Hongkongers may soon be limited to 3 prepaid SIM cards per service provider

Authorities say they believe proposed measures can protect telecoms service users and effectively combat fraudulent activities involving prepaid SIM cards.

Under the proposals, improper use of SIM cards registered under another person’s information without authorisation may result in a maximum fine of HK$25,000 or up to one year in prison. Photo: Jelly Tse
United States

Secret Service, known for protecting US leaders, now hunts crypto scammers

The agency has seized millions in digital assets and trains global law enforcers to fight fraud.

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A Secret Service counter assault team arrives with US President Donald Trump at Calgary airport in Canada on June 15. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore money laundering: UBS, UOB among banks hit with millions in penalties

Capital market services firms and a trust company also faced hefty penalties for their inadequate anti-money laundering measures.

Crime

Chinese model lured to Myanmar with scam job rescued after sister raises alarm

25-year-old missing since June 9 was rescued on Friday, prompting new warning from Chinese embassy in Thailand about high-paying job offers.

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Australia

Lafufu? Australian consumer watchdog warns of fake Labubu toys online

Consumer protection agency in New South Wales points out differences in the products, urges fans to buy from legitimate businesses online.

A woman posing for a picture next to the character Labubu as she visits Pop Mart’s theme park Pop Land in Beijing. The pointy-eared, sharp-toothed dolls have attained cult status. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore’s scam solution: a freeze on fraudsters’ fun

Previously powerless to act, authorities can now suspend accounts and credit facilities for up to 30 days to prevent losses from fraud.

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A man withdraws Singapore dollar banknotes from an ATM. Scam victims will still be allowed to withdraw funds for daily living expenses. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | As Hong Kong is learning, a deepfake crime epidemic is upon us

Anyone with an image can become fodder for fraud. For a global city like Hong Kong, the threat is not just financial, it is existential.

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The Philippines

From mayor to ‘usurper’: Philippine court rules Alice Guo is a Chinese citizen

The former Bamban mayor is now in detention, facing Pogos-linked charges of human trafficking, money laundering and corruption.

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