Scammers now targeting victims already cheated in previous cons, Hong Kong police warn

Authorities describe sham websites that exploit the ‘helplessness’ of victims who have lost money in other scams, so as to defraud them again

Number of tech crime cases rises 3.2 per cent in first quarter, while total losses surge to HK$1.62 billion, a whopping 94.2 per cent increase from the same period last year

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The police show examples of online ads from bogus companies who claim they can help scam victims recover lost funds. Photo: Sun Yeung

Published: 8:30am, 3 Jun 2024

Scammers are targeting people who have already been cheated, with Hong Kong police pointing to a “new trend” in sham websites designed to lure victims into further swindles, inflicting more damage on them under the guise of recovering lost funds.

Superintendent Baron Chan Shun-ching of the force’s cybersecurity and technology crime bureau warned of a rise in fake companies claiming to be private investigators or legal service providers who could recover money lost in scams, and advertising online.

“These scammers portray a professional image to lower the guard of scam victims, exploiting their helplessness to defraud them once again,” Chan said.

According to Chan, the city has seen six such cases so far this year, with losses exceeding HK$8 million (US$1 million).

The emergence of recovery scams are part of a rise in online fraud cases in the city.

Police data showed 7,596 cases of technology crime from January to March this year, a 3.2 per cent rise from 7,361 in the same period last year. Total losses surged to HK$1.62 billion in the first quarter – a whopping 94.2 per cent increase from HK$830 million in the same period last year.