The Regional Crime Prevention Office of Kowloon East (RCPO KE) endeavours to combat telephone deception through publicity in the community and via social media platforms. Moreover, RCPO KE officers regularly visit money service operators (MSOs) to educate their staff to identify potential victims of telephone deception cases, as well as to encourage them to call the “Anti-scam Helpline 18222” to seek assistance when in doubt.

On April 28, the Police received a report from a member of the public who had fallen victim to telephone deception. Believing that the fraudster was her friend who had been arrested on the Mainland and needed bail money, the subject went to a MSO to remit cash to a mainland bank account. Having noted the Police’s anti-deception publicity, the MSO owner enquired the subject with regard to the purpose of remittance and the recipient’s background. Finding the transaction dubious, the MSO owner had put the transfer on hold and asked the subject to verify the request with her friend. Subsequently, the subject confirmed that her friend was not arrested and realised that it was telephone deception; hence, she reported the case to the police.

Whilst monitoring telephone deception cases as per usual, RCPO KE officers spotted the case, contacted the subject and swiftly accompanied the subject to follow up on the payment involved. Having communicated with the MSO, the subject was fully refunded. Owing to the vigilance of the MSO owner and the timely intervention by the Police, there was no monetary loss incurred and the subject sent appreciation letters to both the RCPO KE and the MSO to express her gratitude.

RCPO KE will continue to monitor telephone deception trends and maintain close liaison with stakeholders in order to keep them informed of prevalent trends, so as to enhance their awareness and engage them in crime prevention.