Hong Kong police detain 269 suspects in wave of tech-related fraud cases

In a two-week crackdown, Hong Kong police apprehended 269 people in connection with 203 cases of technology-focused scams, totalling HK$320 million in victim losses. The crimes involved phone scams, fraudulent online shopping and bogus investment schemes, and authorities managed to seize HK$2.5 million of the proceeds. The largest single loss, nearly HK$4 million, occurred when scammers impersonated Alipay customer-service agents, sent a phishing link via WhatsApp and coaxed the victim into 13 bank transfers.

Police warned that scammers also pose as SF Express staff, noting the courier now handles support solely through its app. The operation further targeted a syndicate that used AI-generated fake Hong Kong ID cards to open more than 200 accounts across three banks and a stored-value payment provider, successfully creating 42 accounts, 14 of which facilitated money-laundering. Officials urged the public not to share selfie images that could be misused for identity fraud.