Fake tenant crypto scam costs retiree HK$10 million
AM730 · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 64-year-old retired businesswoman who owned properties, shops and parking spaces was cheated out of about HK$10 million in a cryptocurrency scam after being approached online by a supposed tenant. The case began in May when she posted a property for rent on Facebook and was contacted on WhatsApp by someone claiming to want to lease it, although no tenancy was eventually agreed. The contact later recast himself as a cryptocurrency investment expert, persuaded her to open a crypto wallet, and obtained her wallet information and password during the process. After she used HK$10 million in cash to buy cryptocurrency, the scammer immediately transferred the assets out, leaving the wallet empty.
Key Points
- The victim was a 64-year-old retired female businesswoman who reportedly owned residential property, shops and parking spaces before the fraud occurred.
- Police said the approach started in May through a Facebook rental listing, followed by WhatsApp contact from a person posing as an interested tenant.
- Although the rental deal never went through, the suspect maintained contact online and gradually shifted the conversation toward cryptocurrency investing.
- The scammer guided her to set up a cryptocurrency wallet, then stole the wallet details and password while presenting himself as an expert.
- After she bought about HK$10 million worth of cryptocurrency with cash, the holdings were swiftly transferred away and her wallet balance was wiped out.
Why It Matters
The case shows how ordinary online activities in Hong Kong, including renting out property, buying and selling, or making friends online, can be used as entry points for investment fraud. Police urged the public never to hand over cryptocurrency wallet passwords, recovery phrases or private keys, and said anyone in doubt can call the Anti-Scam Helpline 18222 or use the Scameter website or app