Email scammers cheat Germany-based tech company’s Hong Kong branch out of HK$11.36 million
- Swindler impersonating a boss from company’s headquarters claimed funds were needed for acquisition purposes in emails sent in March
- Director of Hong Kong firm transferred HK$11.36 million into two local bank accounts in seven transactions
Fraudsters have tricked a German technology firm’s Hong Kong branch into transferring more than HK$11 million (US$1.4 million) into two bank accounts in one of the city’s biggest email scams so far this year.
The case came to light last month when the director of the Hong Kong branch made a report to police.
An email scammer impersonating a boss from its headquarters in Germany asked the director of the Hong Kong branch in emails sent in March to transfer the money, claiming the head office needed the funds for acquisition purposes.
“Because the fraudster could accurately address the director’s name in the emails, the victim then lowered her guard, followed the instructions and transferred the money into designated bank accounts [controlled by scammers],” police said on their Facebook page.
As instructed, the director transferred HK$11.36 million in total into two local bank accounts through seven transactions between March 7 and 9.
According to police, the victim realised it was a scam when she reported the money transfers to the head office.