Steep increase in Hong Kong phone scam victims despite repeated police warnings
University student becomes latest victim to con artists, losing HK$71,000
Despite repeated warnings from police, a mainland university student fell prey to phone scammers and was dupped out of HK$71,000 by con artists posing as officials.
The 23-year-old University of Science and Technology student, surnamed Li, reported the case in Tseung Kwan O police station Friday morning.
She said the scammers posed as government officials and accused her of being involved in criminal case. The telephone line was then transferred to a man who claimed to be from a mainland law enforcement agency.
“He demanded a total of 63,000 yuan to be transferred into a mainland bank account in three separate transactions. Li discovered she had been scammed only after making the transactions, and immediately called police,” a police spokesman said.
Police are yet to make any arrests in relation to the case.
Police have repeatedly warned the public that anyone from youngsters to newcomers from the mainland, to professionals can easily fall prey to telephone scammers.