179 Hongkongers lose HK$1.6 million in online shopping scams over 1 week
- Police received 179 reports of online shopping scams last week, 46 of them related to purchase of concert tickets
- Force calls on residents to exercise caution while buying International Women’s Day gifts on internet
Almost 180 Hongkongers lost a total of HK$1.6 million (US$205,000) in online shopping scams over a week after being tricked into buying handbags, concert tickets and health supplements that they never received.
Police on Friday revealed the figures on their CyberDefender Facebook page to remind residents to exercise caution when buying International Women’s Day gifts on the internet.
The force received 179 reports of online shopping scams last week.
“HK$250,000 was lost in 46 cases related to the purchase of concert tickets,” police said, adding that scammers usually offered ticket sales through auction mobile applications.
“After transferring the money, victims were then blocked from accessing the app.”
Another 23 victims lost HK$30,000 after being duped into buying health supplement products.