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Hong Kong police warn cybercrime targeting children; city logs 900 ‘naked chat’, scam cases

Nine-year-old girl videotaped having sex with man after meeting on app in one case, with police stepping up warnings over cybercrimes

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The city logged at least 450 compensated dating cases that targeted students last year. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong police have warned criminals are taking advantage of young residents in a wide range of cybercrime and deception activities, with more than 900 students falling victim to “naked-chat blackmail” and dating scams last year.
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The figure was in sharp focus on Monday as the force launched the third edition of its crime prevention booklet for young people, with 50,000 copies to be distributed to schools and youth service centres.

Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu Chak-yee said cybercrime was on the rise globally as people increasingly went online for activities such as shopping, investing and dating.

“Cybercrime affects people of all ages, they not only fall prey to those crimes but are also used [by criminals] to aid those activities,” he said.

“But [police] have fewer opportunities to come in contact with young people compared with teachers, social workers and parents, so we need to work together to help deliver our knowledge and messages.”

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The youngest victim of cybercrime was a nine-year-old girl who was found to have been videotaped having sex with a man after they met on a dating app.

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