Authorities prevent over 190 fraud cases worth MOP30 million in Q1

Between January and March 2025, authorities prevented 192 fraud cases involving nearly MOP30 million, according to a response by the Office of the Secretary for Security to a written inquiry from lawmaker Song Pek Kei.

According to Wong Sio Chak’s office, the Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM), Public Security Police Force (PSP), and Judiciary Police (PJ) are actively collaborating with financial institutions and electronic payment platforms to strengthen anti-fraud measures while expanding awareness campaigns.

Song’s inquiry, issued in May, highlighted a worrying rise in cyber fraud targeting popular electronic payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat.

She noted that criminal groups behind these scams are becoming increasingly organized and concealed, exploiting Macau’s convenient financial system, which attracts such illegal activities.

In its reply, the Office of the Secretary for Security confirmed that Macau’s financial institutions are now required to implement procedures to monitor fraud cases and provide training to staff, keeping them updated on the latest scam trends.

Cooperation between AMCM, PJ, banks, and payment platforms has led to the creation of detection models and a rapid notification system that allows suspicious accounts to be frozen immediately.

The 192 fraud cases prevented in early 2025 follow a successful 2024 in which authorities stopped 597 scams worth about MOP110 million.

The PJ reported a steady increase in suspicious transactions being blocked and an improved capacity to investigate financial crimes, including money laundering.

In 2024, the police initiated 93 financial crime investigations, double the number from 2023, with over 90% linked to fraud.

To broaden prevention efforts, the PJ has established 21 communication groups across sectors such as gaming, hospitality, and public transport to share timely anti-fraud information with industry professionals.

The Judiciary Police’s upgraded Fraud Combat Coordination Center, reopened in May after extensive modernization, has already dismantled two criminal call centers operating from residential locations.

The center now incorporates advanced technology and artificial intelligence tools aimed at raising public awareness. 

Cross-border phone scam ring busted

Last week, authorities in Macau and Hong Kong have dismantled a major cross-border phone scam syndicate targeting local residents by posing as “Alipay” customer service representatives. The joint operation was carried out in three phases between April and June, culminating in arrests made from June 22 to 24.

The scam involved the use of GoIP devices to make fraudulent calls that appeared to originate from Macau.

Police arrested two Malaysian men and one Indonesian woman believed to be key members of the group. The men allegedly handled the installation of equipment and setup of scam call centers, while the woman was found to have received over MOP 1 million in scam proceeds through her bank accounts.

During the raids, police seized 12 GoIP units across two apartments in the northern and San Kio districts. Investigators found that just one GoIP setup had made over 90,000 scam calls, of which nearly 19,000 were successfully connected.

Authorities said 168 victims in Hong Kong and Macau lost over MOP22 million to the scams. Charges include fraud, money laundering, and organized crime. Two of the suspects are now in pre-trial detention as investigations continue to trace the remaining network and stolen funds.