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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.
Losses from transnational online scams in Asia-Pacific surged to US$114 billion last year. Photo; Shutterstock
Crime

Asia faces scam ‘epidemic’ threat as gangs exploit agentic AI, analyst warns

The technology could allow scam syndicates to carry out multiple tasks to cheat victims at the same time without needing human intervention.

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US-China relations

Chinese national charged with voter fraud during 2024 US presidential election

Crime in Hong Kong

17 arrested, HK$3.67m seized in crackdown on scammers using Malaysian ‘runners’

Crime in Hong Kong

Multi-property owner loses HK$10 million after fraudster poses as possible tenant

Woman duped into bogus friendship by scammer, who promised tips on how to make money fast with cryptocurrencies.

Police have urged residents not to let their guard down for the promise of “high returns” or “expert tips”. Photo: Getty Images
Crime in Hong Kong

Investment scam cases in Hong Kong drop 15%, but losses remain high at HK$1.65b

Cases fall from 2,525 to 2,151 in first half of 2026, as police warn of fraudsters posing as representatives of overseas firms.

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US-China relations

US charges 11 over sham marriages involving Chinese nationals, American soldiers

More than 1,000 marriages were allegedly arranged in decade-long immigration fraud scheme that generated tens of millions of dollars.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong student arrested over HK$3m scam deceived by same swindlers

Arrested university student, 19, says she was called by scammers who demanded she follow their instructions to prove her own innocence.

A fake identity document for a mainland law enforcement official was among items seized. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 8 over HK$6.2 million ‘sugar baby’ dating scam

Fraudsters posed as wealthy clients to extract bogus legal fees from victims, including teachers and healthcare workers, seeking compensated dates.

Malaysia

Anger in Malaysia as Liow pays fine, has money-laundering charges dropped

Nicky Liow returned to the public eye when a photo of him in the ruling party’s uniform standing next to Prime Minister Anwar went viral.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman loses HK$69m to scammers posing as mainland Chinese officials

Victim, 43, made multiple transfers after receiving calls from fraudsters claiming to be officials accusing her of committing a crime.

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A 43-year-old Hong Kong woman was scammed out of HK$69 million by fraudsters posing as mainland Chinese officials. Photo: Getty Images
Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | As scams plague Hong Kong, vigilance should be the watchword

With the authorities issuing no fewer than five alerts related to deception schemes on a single day this week, it’s clear more needs to be done.

Victims of a scam involving a syndicate operating under the name Fun Coffee hold a press conference at the Legislative Council Complex on August 5. Photo: Jelly Tse
US-China relations

US presses China over alleged scam bosses despite growing police cooperation

Washington says Trump raised the issue with Xi as the FBI expands cooperation with Chinese police on cyberfraud.

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Hong Kong courts

Former Standard Chartered bank staff jailed over HK$28m Africa investment scam

Pair sentenced to three years at a Hong Kong court after ICAC probe finds they helped syndicate use fake bank documents to dupe 21 Japanese investors.

Crime in Hong Kong

Fears grow that Fun Coffee crypto scam duped over 1,000 as losses mount

Police say that total reported losses tied to Vietnam-based syndicate have climbed to HK$104 million, with 225 complaints received since last month.

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More than 10 alleged victims of Fun Coffee speak to the press about the suspected scam at the Legislative Council complex in Admiralty. Photo: Jelly Tse
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Macau police arrest 8 over HK$100m Vietnam coffee investment scam

Fun Coffee established presence in Hong Kong last year, claiming to be a coffee investment enterprise with assets of more than US$1 billion.

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The syndicate claims on its website to be a coffee investment enterprise based in Vietnam. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong warns of scam sites posing as Canada, UK and Thailand e-visa portals

Privacy watchdog says fake sites often use URLs with spelling mistakes, extra letters or numbers.

Cambodia

Letters | Cambodia should investigate those who enabled scam networks

Readers discuss how Cambodia can regain international credibility, and vigilance against fraudulent loans and transactions.

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Donald Trump

Capital One says Trump accounts were closed over money-laundering concerns

Bank asks court to dismiss debanking lawsuit, denying political motives against US president.

US President Donald Trump riding in his limousine. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Scam raids of Malaysia’s Forest City prompt governance questions

The raids spotlight how organised crime has evolved and expanded operations by exploiting mixed-use developments, analysts say.

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Hong Kong courts

Law firm drops court challenge over files seized in ‘crash-for-cash’ probe

Raymond Lam & Associates is being investigated for alleged role in fraud syndicate seeking excessive claims in minor or fabricated crashes.

Singapore

Singapore retailer Love, Bonito warns customers of scam risks after data breach

Partial payment information may also have been affected, but full credit card details were not exposed, the company says.

A Love, Bonito store in Hong Kong’s New Town Plaza. Photo: Love, Bonito
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong raises alert on AI voices as HK$26m lost to WhatsApp hijackers

Police say one victim was scammed out of HK$10 million by fraudsters impersonating his father.

Police warn that in WhatsApp account hijackings, scammers may use AI to imitate the voices of loved ones. Photo: dpa
Asean

Asian scam gangs snare educated English speakers with fake job ads: UN agency

Victims from over 80 different countries are being trafficked into cross-border scams, the International Organisation for Migration says.

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Malaysia

Malaysian police raid online scam centres in Johor, arrest 335 people

Those arrested include 309 Chinese nationals, 19 Indonesians and ⁠three Malaysians, with assets worth about US$245,000 also seized.

Myanmar

Myanmar approves death sentence in crackdown on scam centres

Junta-backed bill targets syndicate bosses with life in prison and capital punishment.

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People from China, Vietnam and Ethiopia after being released from scam centres in eastern Myanmar in 2025. Photo: AP
Cambodia

Cambodia’s tourism slump leaves Angkor Wat eerily quiet

Tourist arrivals have collapsed by nearly 50 per cent this year, forcing local operators to rethink Cambodia’s entire pitch.

Restoration work is seen on a balustrade at the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on July 20. Photo: ANA/Xinhua
Cambodia

Asian Angle | Cambodia’s war on scammers needs a blueprint built to last

Rounding up foot soldiers is easy. The hard part is tracing cash, exposing high-level enablers and protecting coerced victims.

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Cambodia

Hun Manet vows to make Cambodia ‘not worth staying’ for scammers

Cambodia has come under significant international pressure over scam compounds, including from both the US and China.

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