crime · SingTao

Security guard says romance scam cost him HK$240,000

about 4 hours ago2 MIN
Security guard says romance scam cost him HK$240,000

Summary

A 29-year-old security guard identified as Daniel said he met a woman known as Soso through an online dating app after being single for several years, and the pair quickly became a couple. According to his account on TVB programme Scoop, Soso was about 10 years older, worked in property and insurance, and repeatedly borrowed money from him until the total reached HK$240,000. Daniel later sued to recover the debt, while Soso denied outside court that she had cheated him. In court, she said she could repay only HK$50,000 in 10 monthly instalments, an outcome Daniel said he was unhappy with

Key Points

  • Daniel, 29, described himself as reserved and said he turned to a dating app after several years of being single, where he met Soso
  • He said Soso, a property agent who also sold insurance, was 10 years older, and the relationship quickly progressed to dates and outings
  • Daniel said Soso first asked for HK$3,000, saying she lacked money for an electricity bill, before later admitting she had gone to Macau to gamble
  • He said she could play slot machines for a full day and night and lost about HK$100,000 in one session, shocking him
  • Daniel said Soso kept using affectionate language and different excuses to borrow money, treating him like an ATM, until the total reached HK$240,000

Why It Matters

The case underlines how online dating can expose people to financial exploitation disguised as romance, especially when borrowing is framed as proof of commitment. It also shows the limits of recovery even after legal action, with Daniel saying he remained dissatisfied after the court heard Soso could repay only part of the money over time

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