Editorial | Hong Kong’s victims of online scams need psychological safety nets
As the city tackles the scourge of scams, it must pay attention to the mental health of those affected and ensure they are supported
The welfare group studied calls to its hotline service in 2025 and found 31 per cent of the 3,983 debt-related cases handled involved individuals at risk of suicide and in need of crisis intervention.
Sally Choi Wing-sze, senior social work supervisor at the Caritas Family Crisis Line and Education Centre, said callers usually were under extreme stress coping with scams and related debt. Some were at higher risk of suicide, according to the support centre.
Recorded signs of suicidality among callers included changes in eating and sleeping habits and feeling like a burden to others. Many victims felt “shame and guilt” and a sense of “sudden loss” and “hopelessness”.
The distress is understandable among victims, many of whom faced psychological manipulation by scammers. Already traumatised by a loss of money and trust, they might even be blamed by family and friends for falling into the hands of scammers. By the time they call for help, many victims are at a breaking point.