Hong Kong police arrest five after cracking local operations of phishing gang that stole data of 2 billion people worldwide
- Scammers used the stolen information to target their victims for credit card details, which were then used to make online purchases
- After two-month probe, officers arrest five people – two Moroccan men and three local women, aged between 26 and 37
Hong Kong police have for the first time cracked the local operations of an international phishing syndicate, arresting five members of a gang they say stole the personal data of 2 billion people worldwide.
The scammers used the stolen information to cheat the victims of their credit card details and make online purchases which were later sold.
The operation came to light in May when Singaporean police notified their Hong Kong counterparts that credit card details of residents in the country had been stolen and used to buy electronic goods from chain stores in the city.
After a two-month probe, Hong Kong police identified members of the syndicate in the city. On July 6, officers arrested five people – two Moroccan men and three local women – in Sai Ying Pun, Tuen Mun and Yau Ma Tei.
The five suspects, aged between 26 and 37, were arrested for conspiracy to defraud. They were later released on bail, pending further investigations.