Beware of Phone Scammers Impersonating Police Officers

2024-11-08

Defrauding Tricks

Recently, scammers impersonating senior officers of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) sent WhatsApp messages with phone number +852 5687 4117 to members of the public, falsely claiming that they had been involved in illegal activities and asking them to make transfers to designated cryptocurrency accounts as “clearance fees” to assist in investigation. In the scams, photos of the HKPF’s senior officers were fraudulently used as WhatsApp profile photos so as to gain the public’s trust.

Our Advice

• Even if strangers who send you messages are able to tell your personal information, it does not necessarily mean that they are genuine law enforcement officers. Scammers can obtain the personal information of the public by unlawful means;

• Genuine law enforcement officers will not ask for your online banking password in investigation of cases, or ask you to transfer money to designated bank accounts;

• If anyone claims themselves as an officer of law enforcement or government agencies and asks for your personal information and assets under various pretexts, you should contact corresponding agencies to verify their identities;

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