Woman loses HKD390,000 in online gambling scam

A woman has reported a significant financial loss of HKD390,000 after falling victim to an online scam linked to a purported “Taiwanese male netizen.”

Police said the victim, a middle-aged woman, became involved in the scheme after meeting the suspect while browsing the internet on September 22.

The suspect, claiming to work in computer maintenance at a Macau casino, allegedly informed the victim of a loophole in a gambling website that promised easy profits.

Trusting his assertions, she registered for an online gambling account and transferred funds to various designated bank accounts as instructed.

Initially, the victim’s account appeared to show winnings of HKD100 million. However, when she attempted to withdraw her funds, she was met with demands from “customer service” for additional payments as a “margin” before any withdrawals could be processed.

Following discussions with family members who identified the situation as fraudulent, the victim reported the incident to the police on December 5. Investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been made at this time.

Authorities urge the public to exercise caution when engaging in online transactions and to be wary of unsolicited offers promising quick financial returns. Staff reporter