TOPIC

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 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
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.

Singapore

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

videocam
Hong Kong economy

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

videocam
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.

videocam
Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo attending a hearing at the Philippine Senate on September 9, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
Crime in Hong Kong

2 arrested, 1,075 fake tickets seized ahead of Jay Chou Hong Kong concerts

Fake tickets each had face value of HK$1,880, with syndicate using hotel rooms to store them and arrange distribution, police say.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Macau police smash cross-border syndicate behind 168 scam cases

Officers arrest three men and four women over investment-related scams involving HK$22 million in losses.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending in China

Chinese monk ‘Papa Wu’ famous for support of orphaned babies faces fraud probe

Police say Wu and 3 suspected accomplices have been subjected to criminal procedures, relevant assets have been sealed, seized, or frozen.

A Chinese monk, known for his dedication to caring for hundreds of abandoned infants and single mothers, is under investigation for alleged fraud involving at least 10 million yuan (US$1.4 million). Photo: SCMP composite/The Paper
The Philippines

Filipinos turn to online scams after losing jobs in Pogo crackdown

Many of those recently arrested for online scams were former Pogo workers who ‘branched out on their own’, cybercrime chief says.

videocam
Southeast Asia forced-labour scams

Video | Scam compounds ‘deliberately ignored’ by Cambodia

The human rights group identified 53 scam farms in the country that were staffed by trafficking victims, including children from China

Crime in Hong Kong

8 arrested in Hong Kong after HK$46 million lost in investor phishing scams

Seven men and a woman arrested in connection with two phishing cases that allegedly targeted more than 130 victims based locally and overseas.

Both scams used phishing links to access victims’ securities accounts, police have said. Photo: Getty Images
Vietnam

Vietnam’s fake cooking oil scandal shakes trust in food safety

The criminal network raked in an estimated US$3.14 million in revenue selling the popular Ofood cooking oil over the past three years.

videocam
Ofood cooking oil. Photo: Handout
Cambodia

‘A living nightmare’: Cambodia blasted for backing US$12.5 billion scam hubs

The rights group identified 53 scam farms in the country that were staffed by trafficking victims, including children from China.

videocam
The Philippines

In the Philippines, AI fakes duel over VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment

Even after being exposed as fakes, supporters of Sara Duterte remained unfazed, claiming the AI-generated content still made a valid point.

videocam
Trending in China

Taiwan man soaks feet in dry ice for 10 hours to con insurance firms, loses feet

Zhang secures himself to chair with plastic straps to prevent pulling away if experience becomes unbearable.

A Taiwanese man soaked his feet in dry ice for 10 hours to defraud insurance companies, resulting in a double amputation. Photo: SCMP composite/Yahoo
Crime in Hong Kong

Third of victims of 170 Hong Kong compensated dating, naked chat scams are pupils

Police say cases involve more than HK$4.5 million, with victims lured into engaging in nude chats or sending explicit photos.

Hong Kong police have received 170 reports of scams involving naked chats and compensated dating so far this year. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong-based financial adviser’s name and image exploited again in scams

Professor Chan Yan-chong of City University stresses he never gives advice online, notes that many victims, including some in Singapore, are retirees.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 118 over e-commerce scams involving HK$5 million in losses

Three most common types of goods involved in such scams are concert tickets, electronics and food and drink.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 8 after fake concert tickets sold for HK$650,000

Source says tickets for Taiwanese star Jay Chou’s coming concerts in Hong Kong were among those advertised by scammers in cross-border group.

The crime syndicate behind the bogus tickets also claimed to be selling spots for Jay Chou’s coming shows in Hong Kong, the Post has learned. Photo: Facebook/JVR Music
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong hostel manager charged by ICAC over HK$900,000 theft

Former Caritas-Hong Kong employee allegedly altered booking records and stole outstanding guest payments.

Hong Kong society

Letters | To flourish, Hong Kong needs higher priorities than wealth accumulation

Readers discuss the science of happiness, cross-border scam-fighting work, and developer woes.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong man scammed out of HK$4,900 trying to buy Blackpink tickets

Victim deposited money into account of person he thought had two tickets to sell on Threads for one of next year’s shows.

Blackpink’s two scheduled concerts next January will mark the finale of the K-pop group’s world tour. Photo: Getty Images
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong teens held over swindling elderly woman out of HK$50,000 in phone scam

Man, 18, and girl, 16, allegedly impersonated 85-year-old victim’s daughter and claimed she urgently needed bail money.

The two suspects are scheduled to appear in Eastern Court on Monday. Photo: SCMP
Trending in China

Chinese woman schemes to make US$1.4 million, lives with rich men, loots homes

Frugal fraudster with taste for high-life is dubbed the ‘most beautiful criminal’ after she has plastic surgery to dupe lovers.

4
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Singaporean police team up to smash cross-border scam syndicate

Hong Kong authorities became aware of syndicate after members allegedly bought HK$18 million worth of SIM cards for scams.

The Philippines

Up to 10,000 Pogo-linked foreigners in Philippines amid criticisms of inaction

A senior official says a detention facility in Pasay, where many linked to Pogos are held, is finding it hard to cope with overcrowding.

videocam
A view of a closed Philippine online gaming operator (Pogo) hub inside the former Island Cove resort in Kawit, Cavite province in December. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong entertainment

Hong Kong’s 1980s nightlife culture dazzles again at old Club BBoss site

Big Boss Generation revives the old club’s huge dance floor, enticing locals and visitors with a glimpse of the go-go ‘80s nightclub scene.

Big Boss Generation CEO Edward Li (right) and Japanese actress Sola Aoi (second from right) with other company representatives at Saturday’s opening of a new nightspot on the same site as the old Club Bboss. Photo: Nora Tam
Human trafficking

Letters | Indonesia must tackle human trafficking better. Here’s how

Readers discuss gaps in Indonesia’s fight against human trafficking, the missing piece in Hong Kong’s national security strategy, and taxi licences.

Malaysia

US$900 million seized as China helps Malaysia dismantle Tedy Teow’s scam empire

MBI Group’s Malaysian founder has been called ‘Jho Lo 2’ because of the sheer scale of his operation.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement