89-year-old foils scam, police arrest 18-year-old
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
An 89-year-old woman reported to police on September 21 that she had received a suspected scam call claiming her grandson had been arrested in a criminal case and needed HK$100,000 in bail money. The caller later arranged to collect the money in Sau Mau Ping, but the woman contacted her grandson to verify the story and suspected fraud, prompting her to seek police help. After an investigation by the Sau Mau Ping District Task Force and the district crime squad’s Team 6, officers arrested an 18-year-old local man in Sheung Shui on October 6. He was arrested on suspicion of obtaining property by deception and was being detained for further inquiries.
Key Points
- Police said the case began on September 21, when the 89-year-old complainant received a phone call from a suspected fraudster.
- The caller allegedly claimed the woman’s grandson had been arrested in connection with a criminal case and demanded HK$100,000 as bail.
- A handover of the money was later arranged in Sau Mau Ping, but the woman contacted her grandson and became suspicious.
- Officers from the Sau Mau Ping District Task Force and Regional Crime Team 6 investigated and arrested an 18-year-old local man in Sheung Shui on October 6.
- Police said government departments would not proactively ask residents to pay deposits or bail, especially in public places such as streets or post offices.
Why It Matters
The case shows how quickly a simple verification call to a family member can disrupt a “guess who I am” phone scam before money changes hands. It also underlines police concern that young people may be recruited by criminal groups for cash collection roles, exposing them to a charge that carries a maximum 10-year jail term upon conviction under Hong Kong’s Theft Ordinance.