Police intervene in MOP2 million scam attempts, warn merchants over new fraud

[Photo: Yuki Lei]

Police fielded 97 fraud reports in a week, talked six residents out of fake “mainland officials” scams that could have caused losses of MOP2.27 million, and are now warning merchants about a “school director” order scam that has already cost nine businesses more than MOP980,000.

The Judiciary Police (PJ) said it received 97 fraud complaints from members of the public between Sept. 11 and 18, during which officers successfully intervened to dissuade six residents from falling for impersonation scams involving mainland public security, procuratorate and court officials, preventing potential losses of MOP2.27 million.

Notably, in one case, a resident followed the scammers’ instructions and checked into a hotel, severing contact with the outside world, before PJ officers intervened in time to prevent losses of more than MOP1.5 million.

According to the police, of the 97 reports received, impersonation of mainland public security, procuratorate and court officials was the most common type, with 38 cases, followed by order fraud with 25 cases and phishing text messages with 16 cases, as well as customer service and online shopping scams.

Meanwhile, the police issued a crime alert warning of a surge in order scams involving fraudsters impersonating “school directors,” urging businesses across all sectors to take extra precautions. Between Sept. 1 and 17, nine merchants reported being defrauded, with combined losses exceeding MOP980,000.

According to the PJ warning, merchants from multiple industries reported receiving calls from scammers posing as a director or teacher of “Pui Ching Middle School.” The fraudsters would first feign interest in placing a large order and arrange to meet the merchant in person. Shortly before the meeting, they would suddenly claim that the school urgently needed the merchant to order other goods on its behalf from a “designated supplier,” promising a commission once the deal was completed.

Believing the offer and misled by forged transfer screenshots that made it appear the “deposit” had been paid, the merchants transferred money to the supplier – who was also part of the scam. The fraudsters then disappeared, and the merchants only realized they had been defrauded afterward.

The PJ urged residents to rely on official information and stay alert to fraud, while separately calling on businesses in all sectors to remain vigilant.