Hong Kong student arrested in HK$3 million scam case
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong police said a 19-year-old university student was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of impersonating mainland Chinese public security officials and swindling more than HK$3 million from a 24-year-old local man in Tseung Kwan O.
Investigators said the student appeared to have been deceived by scammers herself after being told she was linked to a mainland money-laundering case and had to follow instructions to prove her innocence.
Key Points
- Inspector Wu Kwan-yu of the Tseung Kwan O police district intelligence section said officers announced the arrest on Wednesday after detaining the student the previous day.
- Police said the male victim first received a call from someone posing as a telecoms company employee about a phone number under his name.
- The call was then transferred to a scammer pretending to be a mainland public security official, who claimed the victim was tied to money laundering.
- The victim was told not to disclose his whereabouts, booked a hotel room in Tseung Kwan O, and met the student outside.
- According to police and a source, the student identified herself as an investigative agent, handed over a non-disclosure agreement, and the man signed a document bearing a fake chop before later being ordered to transfer more than HK$3 million.
Why It Matters
Police said the case shows how fraud rings can manipulate young people into becoming part of scams, whether through fear, misplaced trust or the promise of gain.
Wu urged youngsters to stay vigilant so they do not fall victim themselves or get exploited and recruited by criminals.