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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.
Apple began its online pre-orders for its foldable iPhone Duo on Friday at 8pm. Photo: Getty Images
United States

Police urge Apple to fix security after 110 reports of fraud over iPhone Duo

Force says company ignored suggestions on strengthening cybersecurity following similar reports last month, with one case involving HK$229,788.

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Thailand

Thai raid foils cross-border cable ruse powering Myanmar scam centre

Crime in Hong Kong

6 arrested over HK$14m agarwood and crypto investment scam that ran for 9 years

US-China relations

Bank of America fined US$1.21 billion for suspected Chinese money laundering

Second-largest US bank failed to report hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of transactions linked to Chinese money-laundering networks.

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The Bank of America building in New York. The second-largest US bank failed to report hundreds of millions of dollars in suspicious transactions linked to Chinese money-laundering networks. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS
Crime in Hong Kong

Average loss for elderly Hongkongers to investment scams jumps 33% to HK$1.08m

Hong Kong recorded 29,670 scam cases in the first eight months of this year, a 5 per cent increase over the same period in 2025.

The Philippines

Philippines thought Pogos were gone. Corruption and AI still power them

Recent raids reveal persistent corruption and tech-enhanced operations keeping the scam hubs alive despite the 2024 ban.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 17 more over HK$137 million ‘crash-for-cash’ scam

Commercial crime bureau operation brings total arrests to 55 as authorities investigate 669 cases.

Officers have received 669 suspicious cases involving “crash-for-cash” claims worth a combined HK$137 million. Photo: Getty Images
Malaysia

‘Fight fire with fire’: Southeast Asia urged to share data in war against scams

While scam organisations are using agentic AI to expand, regional countries face unwieldy rules on cross-border data exchange, experts warn.

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Myanmar

China tried 3 times to talk crime families out of scam business in Myanmar: CCTV

Series outlines how joint operations brought down major border compounds amid warning criminal syndicates are relocating near Thailand.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman loses HK$21.5 million in cryptocurrency scam

Clerk, 60, was duped by a fraudster posing as an investment expert she met online.

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The fraudster duped the victim into investing on a fake cryptocurrency platform that promised high returns. Photo: Getty Images
Crime

Letters | Phnom Penh Declaration on online scams short on details

Readers discuss Cambodia’s efforts to combat scams, the booking system for football matches at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park, and Trump’s tariff approach.

A police officer stands guards near seized equipment confiscated from online scam operation centres at the Commissariat of Phnom Penh Municipal Police in Phnom Penh on September 22. Photo: AFP
Crime in Hong Kong

Hongkongers lose HK$220 million to customer service scams in August

Scammers are taking real-time control of victims through direct calls or tricking them into installing malicious apps, police warn.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police record 1,503 suspicious iPhone charges so far worth HK$30m

Police say all unauthorised iPhone 18 Pro transactions have been cancelled and Apple has been asked to review its payment security measures.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Retired Hong Kong woman loses HK$2.9 million in online romance, fake app scam

Case among at least 18 online romance scams reported in past week, with total losses nearing HK$7.8 million, according to police.

A police banner reminds the public to be careful in checking the authenticity of their online purchases to avoid being cheated. Photo: Jelly Tse
Malaysia

Malaysia’s US$100 billion Forest City seeks rebirth. Scams stand in its way

‘I worry for the safety of my wife because she is alone at home when I’m at work,’ a resident says as the project tries to shed its ‘ghost town’ tag.

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An aerial view of Forest City development in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE
Singapore

Indonesian arrested in Singapore over fake banknotes was victim of fraud: lawyer

Dosma Sijabat says the 34 counterfeit S$10,000 notes did not belong to his client, who was merely exchanging them for someone else.

Southeast Asia forced-labour scams

Video | Chinese live-streamer held for US$90,000 ransom in Myanmar

Chinese state media said Wang Ran was first lured to Thailand and later told a friend she was being held against her will in Myanmar.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman, 80, loses HK$6 million to fake online investment expert

The case was among over 50 investment scams reported in Hong Kong last week, with total losses approaching HK$30 million.

An Anti-Deception Coordination Centre poster alerts the public to online scams. Police warn that scammers are ramping up efforts to target retirees on social media and messaging apps. Photo: Jelly Tse
Trending in China

Chinese woman, 65, poses as young doctor and mum to con man out of US$25,000

Reviewing Yu’s videos, police spotted a tiny ‘AI-generated content’ disclaimer that the victim had missed.

Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | To combat scams, Hong Kong needs stronger crackdowns, greater vigilance

The police’s latest efforts are encouraging, but with one Hongkonger duped by a fraudulent call every hour, there’s no room for complacency.

Crime in Hong Kong

Man arrested over alleged HK$2.8 million Hong Kong school admission scam

Police say suspect, 51, accepted 23 payments from an education consultant in exchange for securing dozens of places at ‘Kiangsu-Chekiang College’.

Kiangsu-Chekiang College in North Point. There are three secondary schools and one primary school carrying the “Kiangsu‑Chekiang” name in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Video | Over 700 cardholders report unauthorised iPhone pre-order charges in Hong Kong

The unauthorised charges are linked to pre-orders of Apple’s newest iPhones, with the largest single case involving HK$114,000 (US$14,500).

he unauthorised charges are linked to pre-orders of Apple’s newest iPhones, with the largest single case involving HK$114,000 (US$14,500).
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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s iPhone scam: how to shop safely online and prevent credit card fraud

In the wake of Hong Kong’s iPhone credit card scam, experts break down data security risks, 3DSecure and practical online shopping safeguards.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Number of suspicious credit card transactions involving iPhones surges to 1,209

Apple spokesman says all current orders are being reviewed before processing as total amount involved rises to HK$25 million.

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Trending in China

China grandma drains life savings on US$450,000 beauty fraud before daughter finds out

Salon charged 10 to 20 times the market rate; a single multi-procedure lip tattooing session cost a staggering US$6,000.

A 75-year-old Shanghai grandmother blew her entire three million yuan (US$450,000) life savings on overpriced beauty treatments before her daughter exposed the scam. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

Over 700 cardholders report unauthorised iPhone pre-order charges worth HK$14.7m

Some report multiple transactions on their credit cards, while an expert says fraudsters may have exploited pre-order rush for Apple’s new iPhones.

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The pre-order rush for the new iPhone 18 Pro Max has led to some Hongkongers’ credit cards being used to make unauthorised purchases. Photo: EPA
Crime in Hong Kong

Mainland Chinese HKUST student loses HK$1 million to scammer posing as official

Phone scammer accused her of being involved in criminal case and demanded ‘guarantees’ from her, Hong Kong police say.

US-China relations

US sanctions Chinese-language Xinbi Guarantee marketplace over cyber scams

Washington also seizes Telegram channels and US$52 million in cryptocurrency linked to the platform’s alleged illicit operations.

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