Kwun Tong Police Arrest Decorator in Elder Scam Case
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Kwun Tong police have arrested a 56-year-old local man who allegedly collected cash in two “guess who I am” phone scams targeting elderly residents in the district. The two victims, aged 74 and 88, were tricked into handing over more than HK$200,000 in total after callers falsely claimed their relatives had been detained and needed bail money.
Key Points
- Police said the two similar scams were reported in August 2026 in Kwun Tong, with both cases involving elderly victims contacted at random by fraudsters.
- The callers allegedly pretended to be family members caught up in criminal cases, then claimed they needed bail money to secure release from detention.
- A second scammer then posed as a friend of the victim’s relative, arranged meetings in the Kwun Tong factory area, and collected the cash.
- The victims were aged 74 and 88, and each lost about HK$100,000, bringing the combined loss to more than HK$200,000.
- Officers from the Kwun Tong District intelligence unit and crime investigation team used CCTV footage, including the Sharp Eye Project network, to identify and arrest the suspect on August 12.
Why It Matters
The case shows that “guess who I am” scams are still reaching older residents through simple phone calls and in-person cash handovers, making family verification and early reporting critical. Police said they will keep using technology, intelligence gathering and patrols in crime hotspots while urging the public to call the Anti-Scam Helpline 18222 or 999 when necessary.