Hong Kong police arrest nine in elderly phone scam ring
Bastillepost · 4 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Police in West Kowloon said they dismantled a phone scam syndicate behind at least six “guess who I am” fraud cases targeting elderly people, arresting nine suspects aged 16 to 42 and recovering the full HK$325,000 involved. The force said the group operated from mid-October to November 4, with further arrests of two alleged local ringleaders in Tsuen Wan and Cheung Sha Wan on November 4.
Key Points
- The nine arrested were seven men and two women, including five local residents and four people who entered Hong Kong on two-way permits, all held on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.
- Police said the victims were six elderly people aged 73 to 86, each losing between HK$25,000 and HK$90,000 in the impersonation scam.
- Investigators said one local core member managed the ring, while another distributed work phones daily and collected couriers’ identity documents to control them.
- The syndicate also deployed monitors and lookouts, arranged handovers of phones and identity papers in different districts, and chose places without CCTV to hinder investigation.
- During the operation codenamed “Flash Raid,” officers arrested five couriers and two monitors between October 15 and November 4, then seized eight phones and clothing from two alleged masterminds’ homes.
Why It Matters
The case points to a more organized version of the long-running “guess who I am” scam, with structured roles and cross-border recruitment aimed at elderly targets. Police also warned that anyone receiving calls from supposed relatives claiming a new number or an arrest should hang up, verify through family, or call the Anti-Scam Helpline 18222