Scammers swindled HK$830 million from Hong Kong cyber fraud victims in first 3 months of year
2023.05.31 21:07Scammers swindled more than HK$830 million (US$106 million) from victims of cyber fraud in the first three months of this year, Hong Kong police revealed on Wednesday.Latest figures show the force handled 7,361 reports of technology-related crimes between January and March this year, up 59 per cent from 4,609 cases logged in the same period in 2022.But the financial losses involved only rose by 5.7 per cent from HK$785 million during the same period, according to police.Hong Kong police arrest 100 over cyber fraud, with ‘sweet talk’ love scam top of haulIn response to the surge in cases, the force’s Kowloon East regional crime unit mounted a two-week operation from May 15 to Tuesday to combat cybercrime.During the operation, code-named “Tigerwar”, officers arrested 153 people in connection with 108 cases handled by officers in the Kowloon East region.Chief Inspector Hui Nok, of the Kowloon East regional crime unit, said 222 people, aged 16 to 91, were conned out of HK$1
Scammers swindled more than HK$830 million (US$106 million) from victims of cyber fraud in the first three months of this year, Hong Kong police revealed on Wednesday.
Latest figures show the force handled 7,361 reports of technology-related crimes between January and March this year, up 59 per cent from 4,609 cases logged in the same period in 2022.
But the financial losses involved only rose by 5.7 per cent from HK$785 million during the same period, according to police.
Hong Kong police arrest 100 over cyber fraud, with ‘sweet talk’ love scam top of haul
In response to the surge in cases, the force’s Kowloon East regional crime unit mounted a two-week operation from May 15 to Tuesday to combat cybercrime.
During the operation, code-named “Tigerwar”, officers arrested 153 people in connection with 108 cases handled by officers in the Kowloon East region.
Chief Inspector Hui Nok, of the Kowloon East regional crime unit, said 222 people, aged 16 to 91, were conned out of HK$130 million in the 108 cases, which included online romance swindles, investment fraud, e-shopping and employment scams.
Among the victims was a 38-year-old housewife who was cheated out of HK$3.8 million in an employment fraud case.
Hui said police had frozen a total of HK$3 million in suspected crime proceeds and seized mobile phones, bank documents and bank cards.
She said most of the suspects among the 108 cases were holders of the bank accounts that were used by fraud syndicates to collect and launder crime proceeds.
HK$387.9 million in cryptocurrency scammed in first half of 2022 in Hong Kong
The 153 suspects, aged 17 to 74, were detained on suspicion of money laundering, fraud and obtaining property by deception.
The chief inspector appealed to the public to be extra vigilant about new deception methods, adding that students should also be wary of employment scams while looking for summer jobs.
Police last year handled 27,923 deception cases of all types where victims were swindled out of a total of HK$4.8 billion.
More than 70 per cent of last year’s cases were internet related, with 22,797 reports of technology crimes that resulted in losses of HK$3.2 billion.
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