Recent reports reveal that online fraudsters have scammed Hong Kong residents out of over HK$200 million in just one week, with a case involving a merchant losing HK$145 million. The victim thought they were purchasing cryptocurrency mining equipment from a legitimate company through WhatsApp but was deceived by scammers using AI to imitate the company’s financial manager. Police warn of an increase in investment scams, particularly those that start with online romance schemes. Victims are urged to be cautious and utilize the Scameter search engine available on the CyberDefender website and app to check for suspicious links, especially as Valentine’s Day approaches. Stay vigilant and protect your investments from fraud.
Online Scams in Hong Kong: How AI is Being Used to Deceive Victims
In a shocking turn of events, Hong Kong residents lost more than HK$200 million (around 870 million baht) to online scams in just one week last month. One of the most alarming cases involved fraudsters using artificial intelligence (AI) to trick a victim into sending HK$145 million while attempting to purchase cryptocurrency mining equipment.
The victim, a merchant, negotiated the purchase through WhatsApp, believing he was dealing with a legitimate company based in mainland China. Unfortunately, the fraudsters managed to compromise the WhatsApp account of the real financial manager. They used AI to impersonate the manager’s voice, convincing the victim to transfer significant amounts of digital currency into their wallet.
“Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, utilizing technology to deceive unsuspecting individuals,” stated police authorities. This was the largest financial loss reported between January 20 and January 26, highlighting an ongoing trend of increasing online fraud in the region.
Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee warned the public to stay vigilant against investment scams and fraudsters impersonating officials, as the rise in scams has become a matter of urgent concern. In the last two weeks alone, 42 victims fell prey to online romance scams, totaling losses exceeding HK$30 million. Stories like that of a property owner who lost HK$7 million after being lured into a cryptocurrency scam by a seemingly friendly stranger are becoming alarmingly common.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, police are urging residents to be extra cautious. “Even if someone shows you kindness or sends gifts, remember, it’s often a tactic to extract more money from you,” they cautioned.
To help combat this rising trend, the police have introduced the Scameter search engine, accessible through the CyberDefender website and available as an app. This tool allows residents to check the legitimacy of suspicious links and can be a vital resource in avoiding scams.
Stay informed and cautious to protect your finances in an era of advanced digital deception.
What happened to Hong Kongers in Bangkok?
Many Hong Kong residents lost around 870 million baht to scams in just one week. These scams involved fake calls using AI-generated voice-cloning technology that tricked people into giving away money.
How did the scams work?
Scammers used advanced AI to clone voices of people the victims knew. They made calls pretending to be these trusted individuals, convincing victims to send money urgently.
Who is behind these scams?
The exact identities of the scammers are still not fully known. However, authorities believe that they are part of organized crime groups that operate across borders.
What can people do to protect themselves?
People can stay safe by being cautious with unexpected calls. Always verify the identity of the person on the other end before sending money or sharing personal information.
What are officials doing about these scams?
Authorities are investigating these scams and working on strategies to prevent them. They are also raising awareness to help people recognize and avoid such fraudulent calls.
