Hong Kong sees 9,427 fraud cases in Q1, elderly victims a concern
In the first quarter of this year, Hong Kong recorded 9,427 fraud cases, resulting in a total loss of HKD 1.85 billion. The police are particularly concerned about fraud targeting the elderly, noting that highly educated seniors are a high-risk group for scams.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 16:16
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Central News
(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chien, Hong Kong, May 4) The Hong Kong police announced that there were 9,427 fraud cases in the first quarter of this year, with a total loss of HKD 1.85 billion (NTD 7.46 billion); the police are quite concerned about the situation of elderly people being defrauded, and pointed out that highly educated elderly people are a high-risk group for being defrauded.
The Commercial Crime Bureau of the police told the media today that the number of fraud cases in the first quarter of this year was similar to the same period last year, but the total loss amount increased by about HKD 300 million compared to the same period last year.
According to the announcement, the increase in fraud amounts mainly came from cases involving people aged 60 or above. Among them, a 67-year-old foreign businessman, who met a scammer claiming to be an investment expert through social media and developed an "online romance," was later persuaded to invest in cryptocurrency, eventually losing HKD 84.79 million (NTD 341.68 million).
In addition, the number of elderly victims in the first quarter was 329, with an average loss of HKD 1.01 million per person, both showing an increase.
In response to elderly fraud, the police launched an investigation last year, interviewing 1,056 victims. More than 70% were aged 60 to 69, most of whom had just retired or were about to retire, holding large amounts of retirement funds and savings; the investigation found that over 80% of victims initially came into contact with false investment advertisements through social media, eventually falling victim to scams.
The investigation also showed that elderly individuals with property, high education levels, and investment experience belong to high-risk groups for being defrauded; after receiving warnings from the police, elderly victims on average only believed they were defrauded after 28 days. (Editor: Lu Chia-jung) 1150504
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(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chien, Hong Kong, May 4) The Hong Kong police announced that there were 9,427 fraud cases in the first quarter of this year, with a total loss of HKD 1.85 billion (NTD 7.46 billion); the police are quite concerned about the situation of elderly people being defrauded, and pointed out that highly educated elderly people are a high-risk group for being defrauded.
The Commercial Crime Bureau of the police told the media today that the number of fraud cases in the first quarter of this year was similar to the same period last year, but the total loss amount increased by about HKD 300 million compared to the same period last year.
According to the announcement, the increase in fraud amounts mainly came from cases involving people aged 60 or above. Among them, a 67-year-old foreign businessman, who met a scammer claiming to be an investment expert through social media and developed an "online romance," was later persuaded to invest in cryptocurrency, eventually losing HKD 84.79 million (NTD 341.68 million).
In addition, the number of elderly victims in the first quarter was 329, with an average loss of HKD 1.01 million per person, both showing an increase.
In response to elderly fraud, the police launched an investigation last year, interviewing 1,056 victims. More than 70% were aged 60 to 69, most of whom had just retired or were about to retire, holding large amounts of retirement funds and savings; the investigation found that over 80% of victims initially came into contact with false investment advertisements through social media, eventually falling victim to scams.
The investigation also showed that elderly individuals with property, high education levels, and investment experience belong to high-risk groups for being defrauded; after receiving warnings from the police, elderly victims on average only believed they were defrauded after 28 days. (Editor: Lu Chia-jung) 1150504
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.