Hongkonger arrested over shopping scam in which he blamed Covid-19 for delayed delivery of goods he never sent
- At least 16 people, aged 18 to 46, were victims of the scheme and a total of HK$75,000 was swindled from prospective buyers over several months
- The 31-year-old suspect used online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Carousell to attract customers
A Hong Kong man was arrested on Friday over an online shopping scam in which he blamed the coronavirus pandemic for delaying the delivery of goods he never sent, police have said.
At least 16 people, aged 18 to 46, were victims of the scheme and a total of HK$75,000 (US$9,600) was stolen from the prospective buyers over several months last year.
The 31-year-old, arrested by police on suspicion of obtaining property by deception, used online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Carousell to attract buyers.
Police said they received a number of reports between January and March this year from people who complained that they had bought toys or models online between March and November 2020.
The suspect was accused of taking the money from his victims, before promising to send them the goods they ordered.
“After the victims transferred the money to the designated account, [they] failed to receive the goods they ordered, nor were [they] able to contact the person in charge of the relevant online store, and reported the case [to police] suspected of being deceived,” police said.
