[CMHK] Scam cases involving impersonation of staff of the telecommunications services provider, China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK), have been on the rise. Most of the victims are the elderly or retired individuals who are unfamiliar with common scam tactics and hence are in particular need of reminders from people around them.
Defrauding Tricks
If you or your family receive an unknown call and notice any of the following signs, stop making transfers immediately and stay vigilant:
Trick 1
Callers claim that you have activated telecommunications services such as “one card, two numbers”, “one card for Mainland, HK and Macao”, data SIM cards or Greater Bay Area service plans, and that a fee will soon be charged
Trick 2
Callers pretend to help you cancel the service and instruct you to make transfers
Trick 3
Callers ask you to cancel the service using an ATM. But in fact, you are led to transfer money directly to their account
Other warning signs:
Callers make unreasonable demands, such as visiting a specific bank branch within a limited time to cancel the service – which is actually a tactic to trick you into making instant transfers
Example: You are asked to go to the Central branch within an hour
Our Advice
Scammers randomly send phishing SMSs, claiming “Your order has been confirmed and HK$XXX has been deducted”, along with a suspicious phone number to lure recipients into calling for enquiries. After calling the number, victims are connected to scammers who pose as foodpanda or Keeta customer service. The scammers instruct victims to transfer “guarantee money” to designated accounts, claiming to help them cancel the orders. Once they have received the money, the scammers can no longer be reached.
[Important Reminder] Messages from senders with the same name will be automatically dropped into the same inbox by mobile phones. Taking advantage of this loophole, scammers sent phishing messages under the name of foodpanda or Keeta, so that the fraudulent messages would be displayed alongside the genuine ones, making it hard for members of the public to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent messages. Scammers would also commit fraud by sending phishing SMSs with ordinary phone numbers.
Case example
A victim received a phishing SMS purportedly sent from foodpanda. Having mistakenly believed it, they called its “customer service”. The scammer claimed that guarantee money was required to cancel the order and tricked the victim into transferring HK$ 4,300 to a designated account. The victim subsequently realised that they had fallen prey to a scam when failing to contact the bogus customer service officer.
Scammers, posing as the Treasury, sent phishing SMSs to members of the public and asked recipients to click on an attached hyperlink to pay a fixed penalty. The Treasury emphasised that it had no connection with such SMSs and reminded the public that it would not ask them to settle payments by sending them SMSs with embedded hyperlinks.
Do not log on to any websites or download any attachments by hastily clicking on hyperlinks embedded in suspicious SMSs, emails or web pages;
Do not input your personal information, credit card details, 3-digit security codes (CVC/CVV) and one-time passwords into unknown applications or websites;
Enter suspicious URLs on “Scameter” of CyberDefender or “Scameter+”, the mobile application of “Scameter”, for security check in addition to seeking verification from relevant organisations;
Remind your relatives and friends to stay vigilant against deception;
If in doubt, please call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” for enquiries.
Beware of Phishing SMSs
The Police are implementing the electronic traffic fixed penalty tickets (FPTs) scheme, in which FPTs will be sent via SMS or email, in mid-June. The Police will then introduce a new thematic portal and mobile application, allowing vehicle owners and drivers to verify and review their electronic FPTs, and pay penalties online via electronic means (such as credit card and Faster Payment System).
Please pay attention to the anti-scam notes below to safeguard yourselves from phishing SMSs: (1) SMS Sender Registration Scheme – “#”The Police have participated in the “SMS Sender Registration Scheme” launched by the Office of the Communications Authority. The Sender ID for SMSs used to issue tickets in the future will have the prefix “#”.The Registered SMS Sender ID is “#HKPF-eTT”.(2) No hyperlinks embedded There will be no hyperlinks embedded in FPTs sent via SMS or email.(3) URL domain – “.gov.hk”The URL domain of the Police’s eTraffic Ticket Platform (www.etrafficticket.gov.hk) is .gov.hk, the same as those of other government departments.E.g. the official website of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is www.police.gov.hk; and that of the Transport Department is www.td.gov.hk. Notes: 1. Do not hastily click on hyperlinks embedded in any emails or SMSs. 2. Do not disclose your personal information or account details to anyone before verifying their identities.3. If in doubt, please call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” to contact the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre of the HKPF.
Scam process:
Posing as investment experts, the scammers randomly invited people to join investment classroom groups on WhatsApp, claiming that money-making tips would be shared in the groups. The victims were then induced to download fraudulent trading platform applications to conduct transactions.
In the scams, the scammers would fabricate profit-making transaction records of the fraudulent trading platforms and lure the victims to invest more money. When the victims wanted to withdraw the funds, the customer service staff would delay the payment with various pretexts and even ask them to pay hefty handling fees. In the end, the victims failed to get back their money.
Scam groups:
K研亞洲林sir內部群組
K研亞洲實驗室
Fraudulent platforms:
Want to know more? Watch the videos below now
[I’ve earned enough, it’s time to let others earn some.]
https://youtube.com/shorts/zBDs9eUbX3o?si=mUyuwSXf11RYwHeP
Highlighted version [“Escape from Scams” Episode 2: Don’t join investment groups hastily! Even a kid knows that!]
https://youtu.be/ACv1Y7iLnA0?si=ZdNL6zTLfe-BqRor|
Investment Fraud - Unwise Speculation
https://youtu.be/44llWVUYeuk?si=YGBm2VG-Ek5GuesY
Thinking like that can cause trouble! Scammers use "good jobs", "no experience required" and "high salaries" as lures⚠, so that you think you can easily make quick money by lending/selling your bank account to others.
Actually, there's no such thing! Scammers use borrowed/bought-back accounts to collect scams or “money laundering.” Even if the parties insist that they don’t know what the other party will use them for, there is always a chance to commit the crime of money laundering, so don’t try.
Remember! Bank accounts "no rent, no loan, no sale" 🤚 ! See "Don't Borrow/Sell Accounts" on the official website of HKMA
https://www.hkma.gov.hk/chi/smart-consumers/dont-lend-sell-your-account/
Recently, there are scammers sending phishing SMS messages to the public and claiming that an amount of fraudulent funds worth more than HK$50 million have been recovered. The recipients are tricked into clicking on a link that leads to a phishing website. They will then be asked to install a bogus version of the anti-scam app “Scameter+” and input their mobile phone number and password.
Please note that the app “Scameter+” does not collect users’ personal information or require login. As soon as the recipients install the app and set up an account, the scammers might pose as officials from the mainland and ask them to deposit money into designated accounts as handling charge to retrieve the money lost.
There is no individual website for “Scameter”. You can use it for free on the homepage of CyberDefender (https://cyberdefender.hk/en-us/). You can also download the app by entering “防騙視伏App” or “Scameter+” from the official app stores.
To know more, visit https://cyberdefender.hk/en-us/scameter/
Recently, members of the public have received scam calls with 8-digit local phone number, purporting to be made from the Security Bureau. Posing as the Bureau’s staff, the caller claimed that the recipients had published messages containing photos and videos of Russo-Ukrainian War as well as appeals to donate money on social media platforms with telephone numbers registered in the Mainland, suspected of having violated Mainland laws. The scammers who speak fluent Putonghua then asked the recipients to provide their personal information or proceed to the Security Bureau office to verify their identity in person. Some scammers were able to tell the recipients’ name during the calls.
Recently, scammers impersonating Hong Kong Police Force sent fraudulent phishing SMS messages to the public, claiming that deception cases have been detected and an amount of defrauded money worth HK$80 million has been recovered. The recipients are tricked into clicking on the embedded malicious hyperlink which directs them to a fraudulent website.
As the recipients enter the fraudulent website, the scammers might ask them to input personal or bank account details, or intrude their mobile operating system to steal important data through malware.
Please note that Hong Kong Police Force will not ask members of the public to click on any URL links through SMS messages.
Recently, members of the public have reported to the Police about receiving scam calls made in the form of pre-recorded message or by a real person. Posing as staff of the China Internet Illegal Information Reporting Centre (CIIRC), the scammers spoke fluent Putonghua or Cantonese and claimed that the recipients’ identity had been stolen for registration of WeChat accounts to publish messages selling counterfeit medicines and luring people to engage in fraudulent events in Southeast Asian countries. The scammers would also ask the recipients to report to the Mainland law enforcement agencies for clarification and then forward the call to another scammer impersonating Mainland law enforcement officer, who alleged that the recipients had committed money laundering offences and requested their personal information, bank account number and password. They were even asked to remit money as guarantee or handling charges.
Recently, members of the public have received scam calls with 8-digit local phone number, purporting to be made from the Consumption Voucher Scheme (CVS) Secretariat or contractors. The caller claimed that the recipients were disqualified from 2023 CVS 2nd Instalment and asked for their personal information.
The registration for 2023 CVS 2nd Instalment closed on Tuesday (27 June). The Government will conduct eligibility check for all registrants. In the course of checking, the CVS Secretariat and its contractors will perform verification and contact registrants. The public are reminded to pay particular attention to the following:
（I）Calling the registrants
（II）Sending SMS to the registrants
All registrants will be notified of their checking results by SMS messages issued through the specified telephone number (852 6059 1120). Members of the public can also enquire about their checking results through the interactive voice response system of hotline 18 5000.
For the list of designated telephone numbers for contacting registrants, please visit: https://www.consumptionvoucher.gov.hk/en/information_list.html
Hackers send phishing emails or text messages impersonating organisations such as the government, banks, online payment service providers, online retailers or business partners, with links or QR codes directing to phishing websites which look like the genuine websites of relevant organisations, tricking the recipients into inputting login passwords, personal information, credit card details, etc. Hackers may also attach links, QR codes or files in the messages, if the recipients click on the links or open attachments indiscriminately, their devices may be infected by malware.
DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
20 Sept 2023
Don't be tempted by quick money, don’t lend your account to anyone to launder money
10 August 2023
Dear Valued Customer,
DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Bank”) would like to remind customers “Don't be tempted by quick money. Don't sell your account.”. To protect your own interests, please read the following information:
Through telemarketing or social media platforms, criminal syndicates would offer the benefit of making quick money and lure the public into selling or lending their bank accounts, or use their personal credentials to open accounts. The syndicate will then use these “stooge accounts” to receive/launder fraudulent payments or other crime proceeds. Customers are advised not to sell or lend their bank accounts to others as these might be abused for unlawful purpose and customers may expose themselves to the risk of committing money laundering offences of which the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years and a fine of HKD 5 million.
For more information, please visit the Facebook and Instagram message of the HKMA posted on 25 July 2022 and click here for the publicity materials from the Authority.
10 August 2022
DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Bank”) would like to remind customers on the Internet Investment Fraud trend and their tactics. To protect your own interests, please refer to the following information:
For more information on the modus operandi, please click here (Chinese version only) or visit https://cyberdefender.hk/en-us/investment_fraud/ for the publicity materials from the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (“ADCC”).
DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Bank”) would like to remind customers on “Anti-Telephone Deception”. To protect your own interests, please read the following information:
For more information, please visit to following webpage (Chinese version only) for the publicity materials from the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre.
https://www.adcc.gov.hk/en-hk/video-detail/video-1444920533647949825.htmlhttps://www.adcc.gov.hk/en-hk/video-detail/video-1444920533668921346.htmlhttps://www.adcc.gov.hk/en-hk/video-detail/video-1444920533907996674.html
18 January 2022
DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Bank”) would like to remind customers “Don’t Lend/ Sell Your Account. Beware of money laundering traps.”. To protect your own interests, please read the following information:
Through telemarketing or social media platforms, criminal syndicates would offer the benefit of making quick money and lure the public into selling or lending their bank accounts, or use their personal credentials to open accounts. The syndicate will then use these “stooge accounts” to receive/launder fraudulent payments or other crime proceeds.
Customers are advised not to sell or lend their bank accounts to others as these might be abused for unlawful purpose and customers may expose themselves to the risk of committing money laundering offences of which the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years and a fine of HKD 5 million.
For more information, please press here (Chinese version only) to read the Facebook message of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority posted on 15 Dec 2021 and press here for the publicity materials from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
3 January 2022
DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Bank”) would like to remind customers “Don't be tempted by quick money. Don't lend your bank account to anyone to launder money.”. To protect your own interests, please read the following information:
Through telemarketing or social media platforms, criminal syndicates would offer the benefit of making quick money and lure the public into selling or lending their bank accounts, or use their personal credentials to open bank accounts. The syndicate will then use these “stooge accounts” to receive and launder fraudulent payments or other crime proceeds.
Customers are advised not to sell or lend their bank accounts/ personal credential to others as these might be abused for unlawful purpose. Otherwise, customers may expose themselves to the risk of committing the offence of money laundering of which the maximum penalty is a fine of HKD 5 million and imprisonment for 14 years.
For more information, please press here (Chinese version only) to read the Facebook message of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority posted on 13 Aug 2021.
13 December 2021
