Author: Clifford Lo

Hong Kong police praised two brave men for thwarting a thief who tried to rob a money changer owner of HK$1 million at knifepoint. The incident occurred at a street junction on Sunday night when the robber attempted to steal the victim’s handbag containing the money. Thanks to the intervention of the two residents, the thief was unsuccessful in his robbery attempt. The thwarted thief managed to escape by hopping onto a getaway vehicle, which was later discovered abandoned in Tai Po. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of a 49-year-old suspect from a car repair shop, who was charged…

Hong Kong police have uncovered a groundbreaking fraud scheme utilizing deepfake technology to deceive love-struck individuals across Asia. The syndicate reportedly used AI to replace the faces of swindlers with images of attractive women during video calls, amassing HK$360 million (U$46 million) in ill-gotten gains. Authorities apprehended 27 individuals, including university graduates, involved in establishing fake trading platforms to dupe victims into investing in cryptocurrencies. Men from various countries, including Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, India, and Singapore, fell prey to the elaborate scheme. This marks the first successful crackdown on a local fraud syndicate in Hong Kong employing deepfake technology…

Theft on Flights to Hong Kong Soars by 164% in 2024 The number of thefts on board flights to Hong Kong has increased drastically by 164% in the first eight months of 2024, with a visitor from Switzerland losing a HK$4.16 million watch in the largest reported case. The 132 thefts in the period have already exceeded the total number of cases on inbound flights in the entire previous year, prompting authorities to advise travelers to be vigilant with their possessions. According to police reports, the most significant theft occurred on a Swiss International Air Lines flight on August 30,…

Hong Kong’s defunct fitness chain Physical had around HK$1 million in its bank accounts when it closed last month. However, the closure revealed that the gym owed more than HK$10 million in loans secured under a government-backed pandemic relief scheme. Rent had also gone unpaid at some branches before the abrupt closure that triggered thousands of complaints related to HK$190 million of prepaid services.A preliminary investigation showed that Physical had no fixed assets apart from the equipment in its branches. The government may have to settle the outstanding loans it guaranteed for Physical under the scheme if the company fails…

Love scammers have taken advantage of twenty Hongkongers, resulting in more than HK$12 million in losses in just one week. The police issued a warning to the public about the dangers of online romance scams, where fraudsters manipulate emotions to deceive victims in various ways. Despite the embarrassment, only 20 cases were reported, with losses exceeding HK$12 million. The police emphasized caution when engaging with strangers online, especially involving financial transactions. In an unexpected twist, recent data shows that men make up 35% of romance scam victims in August. Moreover, a fraud syndicate was busted on September 16, leading to…

Hong Kong police have arrested two men after raiding an alleged gambling den with arcade fishing game machines. The suspects include a 39-year-old mainland Chinese visitor caught gambling and a 54-year-old local resident suspected of operating the establishment. Unlawful gambling in Hong Kong can lead to nine months in jail and a HK$50,000 fine, while operating a gambling establishment can result in seven years in prison and a HK$5 million fine. The raid was part of the anti-late-night crime operation, “Levington,” targeting 17 locations in Mong Kok, including nightclubs, mahjong parlours, and pubs. The city has seen an increase in…

Hong Kong students, some as young as 11 years old, were targeted in a disturbing trend of “naked-chat blackmail” scams in the first half of this year. Police issued a warning to residents to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online. Perpetrators entice victims to undress during video calls and then threaten to share the compromising pictures and videos unless a ransom is paid. They use social media to befriend targets, grooming them for exploitation and coercing them into silence. In a recent case, a 13-year-old girl was lured by a male acquaintance online who posed as a tutor offering…

Hong Kong police have arrested 11 alleged members of a fraud syndicate that stole HK$20 million (US$2.8 million) through online love scams from 99 men, including professionals such as a doctor, an engineer, and a teacher. The police urged caution when meeting new friends online, particularly if money is involved. Senior Inspector Sung Ka-wai of the police’s cybersecurity and technology crime bureau highlighted that men made up a significant 35 per cent of online romance scam victims. He warned that swindlers target both men and women, including well-educated professionals. Authorities arrested 11 individuals who scammed 99 Hong Kong men out…

Hong Kong police recently arrested a YouTuber accused of stealing a cat from a temple. The 25-year-old man was taken into custody on suspicion of theft after officers found the cat, named “Lok Lok”, in his public housing flat in Hung Hom. Inspector Siu Yan-ting stated that the nine-year-old cat did not show any visible injuries and appeared to be safe and healthy after being examined by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The police have promised to return Lok Lok to its rightful owner. In a shocking turn of events, a YouTuber in Hong Kong was…

Hong Kong police recently cracked down on a prostitution syndicate that made HK$13 million (US$1.7 million) through an online chat group with over 25,000 members promoting sexual services. Six individuals, including two ringleaders, were arrested in raids where HK$2 million in suspected crime proceeds were seized. Chief Inspector Sun Yi-ki revealed that the group recruited clients to browse sex workers offering “part-time girlfriends”, with customers arranging transactions themselves. The chat group, with more than 25,000 members, offers VIP access for a monthly fee, providing additional information and reviews of services by sex workers. The cybercrime bureau closely monitored the syndicate’s…