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Scammers have tried to capitalise on the shortage of masks in Hong Kong. Photo: Bloomberg

Mask scam in Hong Kong preying on coronavirus desperation cons seven people out of HK$3 million

  • Woman, 31, arrested in Tsing Yi on Saturday for obtaining property by deception
  • Police believe there could be more victims of the con targeting people trying to protect themselves from Covid-19
A Hong Kong woman was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of cheating more than HK$3 million out of seven people wanting to buy surgical masks during the coronavirus epidemic.

Police said they received reports this week of a woman calling people up in February claiming to have masks for sale, before seeking a down payment in cash from those who were interested.

“But after the victims paid the deposits, they did not receive the goods and could not contact the seller,” a police statement said. “They suspected they were being cheated, so reported their cases to the force.”

Sharing the wealth: Hongkongers take matters into own hands over mask shortage

Officers believe there are at least seven victims of the con, losing more than HK$3 million in total.

They arrested a 31-year-old woman in Tsing Yi on Saturday afternoon for obtaining property by deception. A mobile phone and cash were also seized as evidence.

The outbreak of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has triggered a shortage of masks in Hong Kong since late January, with desperate residents queuing for hours and looking overseas for supplies.

A Consumer Council member earlier reported that about 100 Hongkongers had fallen victim to mask scams orchestrated by an organised gang on Facebook.
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