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Scams and swindles

Scams and swindles
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Scams and swindles. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A man in China who discovered his late mother spent her entire US$67,000 life savings on plastic surgery is seeking a refund. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
Trending in China

China son seeks refund after late mum’s life savings squandered on plastic surgery

Septuagenarian who had never worn make-up undergoes array of cosmetic procedures which do nothing to alter her appearance.

Asean

Opinion | Asean’s newest prospective member confronts a Chinese triad threat

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police strengthen fight against virtual asset crimes with new task force

Crime in Hong Kong

Scam losses in Hong Kong total HK$5.02 billion in first 8 months of year: police

Losses down by 14.5 per cent year on year, with 1 per cent fewer cases, but force sees new trend of students conned in food delivery phone scams.

A large advertisement by police’s Anti-Deception Coordination Centre in Central. Photo: Jelly Tse
Crime

Editorial | Hong Kong’s growing cross-border cooperation against crime is bearing fruit

Security authorities in the region are seeing the benefits of timely intelligence exchange and joint operations against scam syndicates.

Japan

Japanese court orders Unification Church to pay US$340,000 over donations scam

The first such agreement between the church and its former followers opens the path for over 180 victims to seek compensation.

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Hong Kong police

Retiree, 82, in Hong Kong loses HK$4.2 million in new TV streaming scam

New phishing scam involves messages allegedly sent by streaming or TV companies such as Netflix, Now TV, HOY TV asking for payment, police say.

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Hong Kong police say the new phishing scam involves messages allegedly sent by TV streaming platforms asking victims for payment. Photo: Getty Images
Singapore

Singapore scam trio denied bail over Cambodia-Malaysia syndicate

The accused, including the suspected leader’s brother and girlfriend, are linked to scams in Phnom Penh and money laundering in Malaysia.

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Hong Kong Tennis Association

Coleman Wong’s coach issues scam warning after Wire app fraud targets star’s fans

Scammers create fake social media account claiming to be James Allemby, sell VIP packages for Ultimate Tennis Series event in Hong Kong.

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Singapore court rejects 1MDB-linked suit against Standard Chartered, BSI

The judge dismissed the liquidators’ suit as the alleged transactions happened before Singapore’s cross-border insolvency law took effect.

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The Standard Chartered logo is seen on its office tower in Singapore’s Marina Bay Financial Centre. Photo: Harvey Kong
Vietnam

Vietnam jails former Saigon Jewelry CEO as gold bullion scam costs state dearly

Using the fact that Saigon Jewelry was Vietnam’s sole gold bar producer, she sold the metal at a higher price and pocketed the difference.

Customers buy and sell gold at a local gold shop in Hanoi. Photo: AFP
Crime

Chinese woman admits US$7.4 billion bitcoin fraud at UK court

Qian Zhimin, also known as Zhang Yadi, pleaded guilty at London’s Southwark Crown Court to acquiring and possessing criminal property.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong vice-principal and parent charged over alleged admission corruption

Anti-corruption agency alleges Danny Hung, 50, and Cai Yu, 38, perverted the course of justice by destroying evidence in bribery probe.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong records HK$3.6 billion in cybercrime losses as hackers turn to AI

Despite fewer cases in first seven months of 2025, losses have risen 18 per cent year-on-year, driven by AI-enhanced targeting of victims.

The cyber security and technology crime bureau holds a press briefing at police headquarters in Wan Chai. Photo:Jelly Tse
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Hong Kong regulator, banks work on who should pay for scam losses

City’s de facto central bank issues ‘responsibility framework’ on thorny issue of who pays in cases where customers willingly transfer funds.

Fraud cases accounted for total losses of HK$3.54 billion (US$455 million) in the first half of this year, according to the police. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

Singapore gives Meta deadline to fight scams as US$776,400 fine looms

The tech giant has until September 30 to implement steps, including facial recognition, to combat impersonation scams on the platform.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Exclusive | Hong Kong police chief and regional counterparts discuss scams and training

Police Commissioner Joe Chow says global forum good opportunity to showcase China’s commitment to law enforcement collaboration.

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Crime in Hong Kong

2 elderly Hongkongers lose HK$48 million in fake official, crypto scams

One victim, 77, made 24 transfers to three bank accounts after scammer accused him of being involved in criminal case across border.

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A 77-year-old Hong Kong man has been conned out of more than HK$21 million in a fake official scam. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong youth

Editorial | Keeping youth out of crime is a battle all in Hong Kong must fight

Youth arrests are down for scams and money laundering but up for drugs and indecent assault. More must be done.

Crime in Hong Kong

Fake Maxim’s mooncakes among HK$1 million in counterfeit goods seized in Hong Kong

Customs officers also carry out spot checks in districts and discover counterfeit mooncakes for sale.

Crime in Hong Kong

4 held in HK$2.6 billion money laundering case, Hong Kong customs’ largest this year

More than 6,000 suspicious transactions involving about 1,800 trading partners made by suspects from 50 business accounts across four banks.

Michael Ng, an investigator with the Customs and Excise Department’s financial investigation bureau, unveils details of the money laundering case. Photo: Elson Li
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong youth crime falls by 14%, but drug and assault cases rise

Police made 1,326 arrests in first half of year, down from 1,541 last year, but warn of growing drug and assault offences.

Authorities highlight this year’s edition of the youth crime prevention booklet during a press conference at police headquarters in Wan Chai. Photo: Dickson Lee
Crime in Hong Kong

4 Hong Kong teens arrested for allegedly hacking games at Jumpin Gym USA

Suspects allegedly collected HK$20,000 worth of prizes using wireless devices bought online to tamper with game machines.

Hong Kong society

Outside In | Big bucks in government procurement makes it a honeypot for corruption

Transparency, good audits, appeal channels and channels for whistle-blowers might provide some checks – but never a foolproof solution.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Mainland Chinese students hit worse by scams than Hong Kong peers

Hong Kong Monetary Authority to boost monitoring of student accounts by sharing new set of fraud risk indicators with retail banks by end of month.

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Phone scams were the second most common type of scam that university students fell for in Hong Kong in the first half of the year. Photo: Getty Images
Crime in Hong Kong

Custom counterfeit student cards for universities in Hong Kong sold online

Legal experts warn both sellers and buyers may be breaking the law, while check by the Post finds cards selling for 40 to 70 yuan each.

At least three shops on e-commerce platform, Pinduoduo, were found selling counterfeit student cards. Photo: SCMP
Crime in Hong Kong

2 arrested in Hong Kong over alleged theft of electricity for bitcoin mining

Technicians, aged 32 and 33, suspected to have connected eight mining devices to power supply, internet of two care homes for disabled.

Crime in Hong Kong

12 arrested over sale of fake G-Dragon, Jay Chou concert tickets in Hong Kong

Eight men and four women, aged between 18 and 48, arrested this week for suspected fraud and money laundering, police say.

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