Vital to stay one step ahead of scammers
- The number of such crimes is rising fast in Hong Kong, underlining the need for greater vigilance by authorities and the public
Criminals took a costly bite out of Hongkongers’ wallets last year through a range of scams, underscoring the continued need for the city to catch up with legislation, enforcement and public vigilance.
A stunning HK$9 billion was lost to the rising number of scam cases, which were part of the nearly 30 per cent overall surge in crimes reported in 2023 over the previous year, according to Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee.
In his annual report to lawmakers last Tuesday, the police chief said the city recorded 90,276 crimes in 2023. Robberies and burglaries were the second lowest on record.
While such traditional offences rose from the previous year, the base of comparison was low since there were fewer crimes as the city was locked down because of the pandemic.
Months of isolation that drove many people online, however, were a factor in the sharp rise in scams. The more than 39,800 such cases police handled last year accounted for about 44 per cent of all recorded crimes.
Hongkongers lost more than HK$9 billion to scams last year as crimes jump 29%
It is encouraging that police arrested at least 9,239 suspects over scams and money-laundering offences last year, but nearly 70 per cent of the arrests were for offences related to a growing number of bank accounts used to launder money in criminal operations.
Individual victims have lost millions after being lured with false promises of “high-return” investments or luxury goods. Police have upgraded their reporting systems and educational outreach to combat such crimes, and authorities are working to update laws and penalties.
Hashtags to fight phone text phishing is another positive step taken to protect customers.
The continuing advance of scam numbers, however, illustrates how much more needs to be done. Criminals take advantage of fast-changing digital technology in the hands of users who all too often fail to take steps to protect themselves.
The statistics should serve as a reminder that everyone must pay attention to police and cybersecurity experts about best practices and ensure they are part of the city’s shield against scams instead of easy targets.
