Hong Kong police sound alarm over resurgence in fraudsters hijacking WhatsApp accounts
- Cybersecurity and technology crime bureau says resurgence in scams amid first quarter resulted in total losses exceeding HK$20 million
- Police says scammers using phishing links to get essential information from users to take over messaging app accounts and then accessing victims’ contact lists
Hong Kong police have warned of a resurgence of scams involving fraudsters hijacking victims’ WhatsApp and other messaging accounts, with losses exceeding HK$20 million (US$2.6 million) in the first quarter this year.
The force’s cybersecurity and technology crime bureau called the spike “worth the public’s concern” and pledged to combat the trend by pursuing more intelligence-driven operations, fostering international cooperation and stepping up education.
The bureau recorded 864 cases between January and March where users had their messaging accounts hijacked, resulting in losses of HK$20.4 million. More than 90 per cent of the cases involved WhatsApp accounts.
“We saw a gradual drop in cases after police intensified enforcement and publicity efforts [since late last year]. But we discovered cases showed signs of a resurgence recently,” Senior Superintendent Leung Oi-lam told a press briefing on Friday.
Police noted that from last August to December there were 3,137 cases involving the hijacking of messaging accounts, with scammers stealing more than HK$65 million.
The number of cases a month had fallen to double digits towards the end of 2023, prompted by police stepping up efforts to combat scammers.