Hong Kong police’s anti-fraud arm has foiled transfer of over HK$11 billion in swindled money from phone, online scam victims over 6 years
- Anti-Deception Coordination Centre handled more than 160,000 calls from public and foiled 2,000 cases involving wire transfers locally and overseas since 2017 launch
- Joint Financial Intelligence Unit handled 39,610 reports of suspicious financial activity in first six months of this year
Hong Kong police’s anti-fraud squad has prevented more than HK$11 billion (US$1.41 billion) from falling into the hands of swindlers since the unit tasked with tracking fraudulent transactions was set up about six years ago.
Separately, the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit, comprising police and customs officers, handled 39,610 reports of suspicious financial activity in the first six months of this year. Figures showed such instances rose from 51,588 in 2019 to 68,538 in 2022.
The Anti-Deception Coordination Centre intercepted HK$11.79 billion that victims had wired to scammers, via the city. The targets were not only in Hong Kong but also residents and businesses around the world.
“The HK$11.79 billion included funds that were frozen in bank accounts in other countries as anti-fraud officers had sought help from overseas law enforcement agencies through Interpol,” a force insider on Friday said.
The centre has handled more than 160,000 calls from the public and prevented 2,000 ongoing cases of deception since it was founded in 2017.
The source said the cases involved email scams, investment frauds, online romance scams and telephone deception.