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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.
An elderly Japanese woman who lost US$345,000 to fraudsters decided join the gang who fleeced her because they had been “kind” to her. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Viral stories

Elderly Japanese woman loses US$345,000 in scam, joins gang who were ‘kind’ to her

Fleeced 72-year-old develops Stockholm syndrome after being conned by gang, decides to help fraudsters commit more crime.

Cambodia

Cambodia is home to world’s most powerful criminal network: report

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China’s crackdowns

China’s internet watchdog cracks down on false financial claims, stock touting

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 9 in connection with HK$140,000 internship subsidy scam

Suspects comprise eight university students and alleged mastermind, who registered as company director.

Hong Kong police confiscated computers, mobile phones and work documents in the two-day operation. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong housing

Editorial | Public needs answers on alleged corruption at Kowloon flats site

Hong Kong graft-buster investigates defects scandal at housing project where supervisors are suspected of accepting bribes.

Thailand

Do tourists face more scams in Bangkok? Report points to high rate of taxi fraud

The Thai capital was listed among cities where tourists report higher rates of scams, with taxi and car rental frauds the most common.

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Japan

Bar bill scams in Japan use dating apps to prey on disabled and lonely victims

In one case a visually impaired man was bilked out of almost US$5,000, with police warning many more have been similarly hit.

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A woman checks her phone near Tokyo Tower in central Tokyo. Japanese police have warned that romance scammers are increasingly using dating apps to target vulnerable individuals. Photo: AFP
Crime in Hong Kong

10 arrested in Hong Kong in bribery case centred on CK Asset housing project

ICAC alleges that subcontractors offered site supervisors perks in exchange for lax oversight of steel rebar work on Anderson Road project.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman selling electric toothbrush online loses HK$800,000 in scam

Purported buyer gives her link to complete transaction and woman later realises money missing from her account.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong watchdog warns of new scam involving complaints from ‘neighbours’

Watchdog cites six cases in which fake complaints about water leakage or noise used to contact victims for private information.

Fraudsters claiming to be neighbours will first complain about water leakage or noise problems through text messages. Photo: Nora Tam
Crime in Hong Kong

Mainland bank in Hong Kong investigates unauthorised transactions on FPS platform

China Construction Bank (Asia) client says she lost HK$20,000 through FPS transfers, with experts suggesting hacking may be involved.

A businesswoman, surnamed Chen, has said she lost HK$20,000 through unauthorised transactions via the FPS platform. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police smash cross-border syndicate that laundered HK$118 million

Twelve arrested in operation as authorities seek tougher action on fraud-related cases involving renting or selling personal bank accounts.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police smash loan shark syndicate, arresting 24 including 12-year-old

Syndicate allegedly charged 5,000 borrowers interest rates of 100 per cent or more, police say.

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s Truong My Lan offers property empire to avoid death penalty

Property tycoon Truong My Lan has pledged to transform her undervalued assets into a “golden goose” to repay embezzled billions to escape the death penalty.

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Vietnamese property tycoon Truong My Lan attends her trial at the People’s High Court of Ho Chi Minh City, in December 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong actress Rainky Wai granted bail in HK$5.8 million fraud case

Actress, also known as Lau Sin-wah, is accused of tricking shareholder into investing in now-defunct beauty centre, as well as misusing company funds.

Hong Kong actress Lau Sin-wah, popularly known by her stage name Rainky Wai, leaves Eastern Court. Photo: Sun Yeung
Crime in Hong Kong

3 arrested in Hong Kong over HK$4 million London gold trading scam

Police say syndicate rented offices in bustling commercial districts to create the appearance of a professional investment firm.

Trending in China

China teenage girl’s crying photo, stolen, misused on porn sites, sex arousal ads

‘Innocent’ 19-year-old thought to be ‘too beautiful when crying’ by internet users seeks redress, has ‘no idea what she did wrong’.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Fans of Hong Kong star Nicholas Tse report losses of HK$900,000 over ticket scams

Police say nearly 100 cases of online shopping scams linked to recent ‘Evolution Nic Live’ Kai Tak Stadium shows.

Nicholas Tse performed across four nights from April 24 and became the first Chinese singer to hold concerts at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: Emperor Entertainment Group
Myanmar

Myanmar-based warlord overseeing scam hub faces US sanctions

The US Treasury Department says the Karen National Army, run by Saw Chit Thu, is a ‘transnational criminal organisation’.

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France

Kidnapped father of crypto-millionaire freed in French police raid, 7 arrested

Suspects had chopped off one of the victim’s fingers and demanded between US$5.7 million and US$7.9 million from his son, authorities said.

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Hong Kong courts

Ex-Hong Kong district councillor pleads not guilty to charges over HK$740,000 scam

Wong Chun-yeung charged over fraud syndicate that cheated nine people in ‘guess who I am’ phone scams in 2023.

Former Islands district councillor Wong Chun-yeung will be tried between March 9 and 18 of next year. Photo: Facebook/Wong Chun-yeung
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong hotel accounting manager jailed for 6 years over HK$26 million fraud

39-year-old used stolen funds from the Four Seasons Hotel to purchase a HK$5.88 million flat in Tseung Kwan O and luxury Porsche sports car.

Chan Yiu-choi issued 112 forged cheques from the hotel to his personal bank or credit card accounts between July 2017 and September 2021. Photo: Sun Yeung
Crime in Hong Kong

Man arrested in Hong Kong over scams involving impersonation of mainland police

20-year-old suspect allegedly targeted victims in at least eight telephone scams last month, swindling them out of HK$1.36 million.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hongkonger conned out of HK$2 million trying to recover HK$5,000 lost in scam

Fraudster claimed to know ‘team’ that could help recover funds lost in scams, but told victim she had to pay a deposit first, police say.

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Fame and celebrity

6 celebrities currently doing time behind bars

From R&B legends and a Real Housewife to a former sitcom star – these famous folks sensationally went from riches to rags overnight … and are still paying for their crimes.

Danny Masterson, Elizabeth Holmes and R. Kelly are all serving time in prison. Photos: AP, AFP, TNS
Crime in Hong Kong

Nearly 100 Hongkongers lose HK$90 million in 1 week through investment scams

Fraudsters pose as investing gurus with insider knowledge on stocks and crypto, with one victim scammed out of HK$10 million, police say.

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Police have said they received nearly 100 reports of online investment scams over the past week, with victims’ financial losses exceeding HK$90 million. Photo: Getty Images
Viral stories

Japanese man hides dad’s body in wardrobe for 2 years to evade funeral expenses

Some speculate that man intends to claim extra pension benefits, while others express sympathy.

United States

Ex-US congressman George Santos sobs as he’s jailed for over 7 years for fraud

The former Republican lawmaker came under the spotlight when it was revealed that he had fabricated much of his life story.

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