Hong Kong police investigate email scam following German pharmaceutical firm’s report it was swindled out of more than €3 million
- German firm had been conducting business with supplier from mainland China via email and was allegedly tricked by criminals into making transfer
- In separate case involving European firm, Hong Kong-listed pharmaceutical company says its subsidiary in Italy had fallen victim to suspected fraud involving €11.7 million

In a separate internet fraud case involving a European firm, a Hong Kong-listed pharmaceutical company on Monday said its subsidiary in Italy had fallen victim to a suspected telecoms fraud involving €11.7 million.
A source familiar with the German case said on Monday that the company had transferred more than €3.16 million into a bank account in mainland China after falling victim to the scam. He said the German firm had been conducting business with a supplier from the mainland via email.
“Last month, the company received an email purportedly sent out from the supplier, requesting a transfer of €3.16 million into a bank account in the mainland,” the insider said.

The German company complied and made the money transfer, he said, adding the firm realised it had been scammed when it contacted the genuine supplier.