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Bogus website targeting HSBC's customers

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HSBC customers have been targeted in the latest e-mail banking scam discovered in Hong Kong.

It directs customers to verify their account details by clicking through a hyperlink to a bogus website that mimics the bank's own site.

The e-mail recipients are asked to log on to take part in an anti-fraud investigation - a con similar to one that targeted Citibank customers in January.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued a warning to bank customers yesterday, saying the bogus web page 'looks very similar' to the real one. The address of the page is www.ebank.hsbc.com.hk/servlet/onlinehsbc.

The earlier e-mail purporting to be from Citibank told account holders that the bank had to block some accounts in its system 'connected with money laundering, credit card fraud, terrorism and check [cheque] fraud activity'.

HSBC spokesman Gareth Hewett said the bank would never ask customers to confirm personal information via e-mail for its internet banking, phone banking or ATM services.

He said those clients who bank online should never follow a link within an e-mail to start an internet banking session.

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