Five students among 31 suspected online scammers arrested for duping mask buyers out of more than HK$3 million
- The students, aged 16 to 19, have been released on bail, pending further investigation
- Police have received 1,865 reports of online mask scams, involving HK$56.9 million, since January
Five students were among 31 suspected online scammers arrested during a five-day operation for duping more than 400 buyers of surgical masks out of more than HK$3 million (US$387,000) since January, Hong Kong police said on Monday.
Among the victims, the biggest loser was a university student who was conned out of HK$360,000 when he worked as a volunteer and tried to help an NGO to buy surgical masks in March, Senior Inspector Ng Shuk-yi of the New Territories North regional crime unit said.
“The kindhearted student wanted to help others, but fell victim to the scam,” Ng said.
The 19-year-old student was among more than 200 Hongkongers who were cheated by a syndicate out of around HK$1.3 million.
To find targets, the gang placed an advert on a shopping website in late January, offering to sell surgical masks. A box of masks was priced between HK$70 and HK$250.
The victims transferred money into designated bank accounts, but the gang kept coming up with excuses for delay in delivery after receiving payments. The victims realised they were cheated only when they lost contact with the so-called sellers in February.