5 September 2025 – Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Police have cracked a string of phone scams involving suspects impersonating mainland law enforcement officers, resulting in eight victims being defrauded of a total of HK$2.4 million. The cases took place between July and September 2025 and targeted individuals aged 16 to 71.
The fraudsters falsely accused the victims of being involved in economic crimes in mainland China and instructed them to pay “investigation funds” to avoid arrest. To add legitimacy, the scammers dispatched a fake “investigating officer” to collect the money in person.
On 3 September, police arrested Chan, a 21-year-old local university student, in Cheung Sha Wan. He is accused of impersonating a police officer and obtaining property by deception. A search of his residence uncovered:
Two fake Hong Kong auxiliary police appointment certificates
A false confidentiality agreement
A mobile phone, laptop, photocopier
Clothing worn during the handovers
Victims told investigators they were initially contacted by someone claiming to be a mainland police officer who accused them of criminal involvement. After building trust, the scammer arranged meetings with Chan, who pretended to be the officer collecting evidence.
Chief Inspector Luk Chi-ho, from the Yau Tsim District Technology Crime Unit, confirmed that the victims reported the scams once they realized they’d been deceived. Investigators swiftly reviewed CCTV footage, identifying Chan as the man who met with multiple victims while pretending to be an officer. He allegedly had them sign fake documents before handing over cash.
Out of the nine victims, eight handed over money, with losses ranging from several thousand to a single case of HK$700,000. One person, however, grew suspicious before the meeting and avoided any financial loss.
The victims included three men, five women, and one girl, representing a wide demographic—from students to retirees.
Police are urging the public to stay vigilant and to never comply with unsolicited calls claiming to be from law enforcement. They stressed that genuine officers will never request money, bank transfers, or personal financial details.
