Woman loses HKD974,000 in suspected cryptocurrency romance scam

A middle-aged Macau woman has reported losing HKD974,000 (about MOP1 million) in a suspected romance scam after being persuaded to invest in cryptocurrency, according to the Judiciary Police (PJ).

The woman met a man claiming to work in Singapore through a social media platform in April, and the pair later developed an online romantic relationship. In May, the man allegedly encouraged her to invest in cryptocurrency through a designated application.

Between May 29 and June 30, the victim deposited a total of HKD990,000 into the platform. She later withdrew about HKD16,000 in supposed profits. When she attempted to withdraw the remaining funds on July 7, she was asked to pay 20% of the amount as income tax.

Suspecting she had been deceived, the woman reported the case to police.

In another case, three Macau residents lost more than MOP8,000 in online shopping scams involving fake hotel buffet vouchers and frozen food purchases.

Two victims were lured by a social media post from a fake travel agency selling hotel buffet vouchers and made payments through a QR code provided by the seller.

A man who paid MOP698 later discovered additional unauthorized withdrawals totaling MOP5,073, while a woman lost MOP3,351 after the seller cut contact.

An elderly woman, meanwhile, lost MOP3,855 after paying MOP565 for frozen salmon online. LV