In February, the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) of the Commercial Crime Bureau organised the Anti-Deception Month on the theme of “Scammers Steal, Stay Alert”, and coordinated units, regions and police districts of the Force in the anti-scam publicity work on all fronts. The campaign aimed to enhance the public awareness of various kinds of scams and prevention of deception. In addition, ADCC strived to promote public education and appealed to citizens to call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” for assistance if a scam is suspected.

Expose defrauding tricks with four scam characters

ADCC has created four scam characters, namely “King of Phone Scams” who makes phone calls impersonating a law enforcement officer, “Love Player” who cheats people of their money and love, “Fake Job Master” who deceives job seekers and “Phishing Agent” who collects personal data through phishing SMS messages, links or emails, alerting members of the public to most prevalent scams, including telephone deception, romance cum investment scam, employment fraud, and phishing scam. The television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest featuring the Four Scammers are broadcast on television and radio stations from January 10. The online videos have been uploaded onto the Force’s social media platforms and ADCC’s webpage.

Disseminate anti-deception messages on Internet and social media

ADCC placed advertisements with the theme of the Four Scammers on online platforms commonly used by citizens to strengthen publicity. Moreover, ADCC launched an interactive webpage featuring the Four Scammers. The public can access anti-scam messages and watch the anti-scam videos on the webpage.

Outdoor anti-scam advertisements

ADCC displayed advertisements with the theme of the Four Scammers on tunnels, public transport and large outdoor advertising spaces, including MTR train compartments, trams, bus bodies, the Sha Tin exits of Shing Mun Tunnel and Lion Rock Tunnel as well as the Police Officers’ Club and the external wall of the Queen Elizabeth Stadium to promote anti-scam messages. ADCC also played a publicity video of the Four Scammers on a large LED wall at Argyle Street, Mong Kok.

Promote anti-deception through mass media

ADCC delivered anti-scam messages through a newspaper and a magazine to promote the Anti-Deception Month and explain the modi operandi of telephone deception, employment fraud, romance scam cum investment fraud and phishing scam. In addition, ADCC produced a series of programmes in collaboration with television and radio stations to explain the prevalent modi operandi to the public.

Deliver anti-deception messages via letter boxes

ADCC produced anti-deception leaflets featuring the Four Scammers, which were distributed to the public via mailboxes of citizens with the assistance from Regional Crime Prevention Offices and Police Community Relations Offices. ADCC also designed a postcard with the theme of “Love Player” and the postcards were mailed to the public via Hongkong Post Circular Service.

Anti-scam promotional truck

Between February 9 and 22, a promotional truck featuring the Four Scammers was deployed to 14 locations across the territory to play anti-scam videos to spread anti-scam messages to the public.

Officers introduce the anti-scam publicity work of the Anti-Deception Month.

A publicity video of the Four Scammers is played on a large LED wall at Argyle Street, Mong Kok.

ADCC displays advertisements with the theme of the Four Scammers on a bus body.

ADCC produces programmes with a television station to explain the prevalent modi operandi of deception to the public.

An article on deception is published in a magazine to raise the public’s anti-deception awareness.

ADCC mails postcards with the theme of “Love Player” to the public via Hongkong Post Circular Service.

A promotional truck featuring the Four Scammers plays anti-scam videos across the territory.