Beware of Investment Fraud Involving Uninvited Messages

2024-08-20

Defrauding Tricks

Scammers spread messages or added people to groups through social media, online advertisements or instant messaging apps (e.g. WhatsApp) and introduced “high returns with low risks” investment schemes or provided insider tips on shares to victims. Scammers’ messages were echoed in those groups, and the victims were guided to open accounts on fraudulent investment websites or platforms and deposit funds into designated bank accounts. The scammers would falsify records of profitable transactions or offer the victims small returns from initial transactions so as to lure them into injecting more money. When the victims tried to withdraw the funds, the scammers would reject them with various excuses or ask for hefty handling fees. The victims ended up suffering great losses.

Our Advice 

• Stay alert and do not hastily believe any investment schemes that promise high returns with low risks, especially investment advice from strangers or social media;

• Do not casually disclose your personal information, credit card details, 3-digit security code and one-time password;

• Do not casually log on to any websites or download any attachments by clicking on hyperlinks;

• Enter suspicious phone numbers, web addresses or transferees’ account numbers on “Scameter” or “Scameter+”, the mobile app of “Scameter”, for security check in addition to seeking verification from relevant organisations;

• If in doubt, please call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” for enquiries.