As Mong Kok is one of the most popular residing places for people arriving in Hong Kong from the Mainland, Mong Kok District (MKDIST) has launched Project SMART to enhance anti-deception awareness among the public and Mainlanders in Hong Kong. The launching ceremony of the project was held on August 23. Commissioner Siu Chak-yee, Regional Commander of Kowloon West Rupert Dover, District Commander of MKDIST Ng Chi-chung, Honorary Consultant of Project SMART Chan Heung-lin and Vice Chairman and President of Sino United Publishing (Holdings) Limited Mr Li Jiping were invited to be the officiating guests and communicate with around 100 stakeholders of MKDIST and 50 Mainlanders in Hong Kong.

MKDIST has developed partnerships with various stakeholders in the District, including hotels, malls, licenced guesthouses, banks, cross-boundary coach, taxies, green minibuses, internet media and clusters of Mainlanders in Hong Kong, and entered into a charter with them, in which it is pledged that latest anti-deception information will be disseminated to Mainlanders coming to Hong Kong. According to MKDIST’s initial estimation, anti-deception messages can be delivered to around 300 000 people arriving in Hong Kong from the Mainland every month.

Furthermore, 12 Hong Kong Drifter Ambassadors have been appointed under Project SMART to assist MKDIST in disseminating anti-deception information to mainland students who have just arrived in Hong Kong and setting up an online platform called Hong Kong Drifters’ Report Room for widening the reach of the Force’s anti-deception publicity, publishing regularly the latest modus operandi of deception and offering advice to heighten their alertness to deception and build up a support network for those in distress.

Two Mainlanders victimised in telephone scams share their experience and urge the public to stay alert to scams.