Hong Kong Police Dismantle Major Phone Scam Syndicate

In a significant crackdown on fraud, Hong Kong police have arrested six individuals linked to a phone scam syndicate that has swindled at least 12 victims out of around HK$520,000 (approximately 2.24 million baht) since last November.

On Sunday, authorities warned local schools to remain vigilant against these deceptive practices, as some members of the syndicate posed as headmasters or teachers to manipulate janitorial staff into transferring funds. Victims only realized they had fallen prey to the scam after contacting legitimate school officials.

The suspects, aged between 23 and 44, were apprehended during a series of targeted raids conducted on Friday and Saturday. The group comprised three domestic helpers among three men and three women, all now facing allegations of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, as stated by Senior Inspector Luk Hung-kei from the commercial crime bureau’s fraud unit.

“The syndicate has reportedly been in operation since last November,” revealed Senior Inspector Luk. “Following a thorough investigation, we executed a series of raids across the city, resulting in these six arrests.”

During the raids, police confiscated various items, including bank cards, mobile phones, and SIM cards associated with the suspects. Interestingly, among those arrested were two Hong Kong locals and a non-ethnic Chinese individual.

Victims of this scam ranged from customer service personnel to security guards and clerks, with losses varying from HK$5,000 to HK$130,000. One notable case involved a security guard who was tricked into transferring HK$130,000 to a bank account after receiving a call from someone claiming to be a senior executive from his property management company.

Inspector Luk highlighted a crucial element of the scam, identifying some of the arrested individuals as “money moles.” This term refers to people who lend or sell their bank accounts to facilitate the movement of illegally obtained funds for scammers.

Authorities have issued a stark warning to the public against engaging in such risky activities—selling or lending bank accounts, or allowing others to use personal information for opening accounts—can lead to serious legal consequences, including a fine of up to HK$5 million and a maximum of 14 years in prison.

In a broader context, data shows a worrying trend, with Hong Kong police recording a total of 94,747 crimes in 2024, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. Among these, nearly half—44,480 cases—were classified as deception crimes, indicating an alarming 11.7% rise compared to 2023.

Stay safe and vigilant, as the rise in fraudulent schemes highlights the importance of awareness in protecting oneself from deceit!