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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.
Thai police officers control the area outside the Cambodian Embassy as the nationalist gather to protest over the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Thailand

Border tensions rise as Thailand and Cambodia reinforce troops after May 28 clash

The two governments have issued statements committing to dialogue following a brief skirmish on May 28 that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

Thailand

Chinese fugitive’s daring escape in Thailand ends in recapture 200km away

Malaysia

Malaysian retiree loses US$38,000 in sperm scam linked to ‘Hong Kong woman’

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Asean

My Take | Can Southeast Asia contain growing threat of cyber scams?

An unprecedented level of coordination is required to tackle such crimes as Southeast Asian economies become more digitalised.

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A recent UN report estimated that cyber-enabled fraud cost East and Southeast Asia nearly US$40 billion in 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

Man arrested for allegedly impersonating Hong Kong police, officials in 3 scams

Authorities say 57-year-old used false identities to con victims out of HK$310,000 by claiming he could help buy discounted concert tickets, phones.

Crime in Hong Kong

40% rise in Hong Kong concert ticket scams amid JJ Lin, Jay Chou shows

Police say more than 70 cases reported in second half of May involved bogus ticket sales for Mandopop stars’ Kai Tak Stadium shows.

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Trending in China

China firm cons parents out of US$51,000 with fake elite brand kids fashion show

Firm preys on parents desperate to make their kids famous by using counterfeit luxury brand logos, charging registration fees.

A company in China has conned dozens of parents out of a total of US$55,500 by staging a fake elite brand fashion show for children. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
The Philippines

US sanctions Philippine tech firm over ‘pig butchering’ romance scams

Funnull Technology’s infrastructure supported more than 332,000 domain names linked to cryptocurrency scams, US Treasury Department says.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong helps seize HK$157 million in cross-border online scam operation

Seven Asian police agencies also made 1,800 arrests and froze over 32,000 bank accounts with the aid of direct communication platform.

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Trending in China

Paralysed Chinese woman falls for ‘doctor’ in rehab, he flees with US$420,000 loan

Wheelchair-using woman meets ‘surgeon’ on social media during recovery from car accident, has baby, he vanishes.

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A paralysed woman in China fell for a “doctor” during her rehabilitation who then disappeared with a US$420,000 loan she took out for him. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Japan

As Japan’s rice prices soar, scammers cash in on hunger for cheap deals

Complaints related to scam websites claiming to sell the staple at heavily discounted prices have spiked since March.

A customer looks at rice on sale at a store in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police receive over 40 reports of scams on Carousell in a week

Fraudsters use phishing links to cheat victims of HK$4.6 million, including seller of lozenges who lost nearly HK$650,000.

Trending in China

Chinese man invests in cattle online for profit, US$140,000 ends up as beef

10,000 people sink cash into ‘international’ cattle-raising business, which police say is a US$70 million scam.

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong policeman admits hiding debts to cheat credit union out of HK$280,000

Traffic officer says his divorce, custody battle with his ex-wife had clouded his judgment.

A traffic officer has pleaded guilty to a count of fraud and an attempted charge of the same offence for providing inaccurate and incomplete information to the Hong Kong Police Credit Union. Photo: Winson Wong
Malaysia

Malaysia’s home minister ridiculed after his WhatsApp account hacked

Critics question how Saifuddin Nasution can keep the country safe if he cannot even secure his own phone.

Malaysia Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Photo: Facebook/Saifuddin Nasution Ismail
Trending in China

‘Blinded by love’ Chinese man spends most of US$4.5 million ill-gotten gains on lover

Police accuse ‘calculating’ yet frugal-living suspect of carrying out crime spree that had more than 70 victims.

Viral stories

Elderly Japanese woman loses US$345,000 in scam, joins gang who were ‘kind’ to her

Fleeced 72-year-old develops Stockholm syndrome after being conned by gang, decides to help fraudsters commit more crime.

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Cambodia

Cambodia is home to world’s most powerful criminal network: report

The network’s illegal activities threaten global economic and political stability, says Jacob Sims, a transnational crime expert.

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Scam suspects escorted by Chinese police officers in a flight from Cambodia last year. Photo: Xinhua
China’s crackdowns

China’s internet watchdog cracks down on false financial claims, stock touting

Top cybersecurity agency shuts down more than a dozen social media accounts amid growing concerns over finance influencers.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 9 in connection with HK$140,000 internship subsidy scam

Suspects comprise eight university students and alleged mastermind, who registered as company director.

Hong Kong housing

Editorial | Public needs answers on alleged corruption at Kowloon flats site

Hong Kong graft-buster investigates defects scandal at housing project where supervisors are suspected of accepting bribes.

The construction site of CK Asset’s Anderson Road project in Kwun Tong, which was found to not comply with approved building plans. Photo: Dickson Lee
Thailand

Do tourists face more scams in Bangkok? Report points to high rate of taxi fraud

The Thai capital was listed among cities where tourists report higher rates of scams, with taxi and car rental frauds the most common.

Tourists walk past a tuk tuk in a popular tourist area in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: EPA-EFE
Japan

Bar bill scams in Japan use dating apps to prey on disabled and lonely victims

In one case a visually impaired man was bilked out of almost US$5,000, with police warning many more have been similarly hit.

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Crime in Hong Kong

10 arrested in Hong Kong in bribery case centred on CK Asset housing project

ICAC alleges that subcontractors offered site supervisors perks in exchange for lax oversight of steel rebar work on Anderson Road project.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman selling electric toothbrush online loses HK$800,000 in scam

Purported buyer gives her link to complete transaction and woman later realises money missing from her account.

The victim had listed the item on Carousell and was approached by a supposed buyer expressing interest. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong watchdog warns of new scam involving complaints from ‘neighbours’

Watchdog cites six cases in which fake complaints about water leakage or noise used to contact victims for private information.

Fraudsters claiming to be neighbours will first complain about water leakage or noise problems through text messages. Photo: Nora Tam
Crime in Hong Kong

Mainland bank in Hong Kong investigates unauthorised transactions on FPS platform

China Construction Bank (Asia) client says she lost HK$20,000 through FPS transfers, with experts suggesting hacking may be involved.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police smash cross-border syndicate that laundered HK$118 million

Twelve arrested in operation as authorities seek tougher action on fraud-related cases involving renting or selling personal bank accounts.

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