Latest Scam Alerts

Beware of Bogus Bank Staff Offering Help with Low-Interest Loan Applications!
2025-05-02



Defrauding Tricks

Recently, scams involving bogus bank staff have become more prominent again. Scammers call members of the public to promote “low-interest bank loans without due diligence” that require no financial proof, such as asset or income proof. Once you show your interest, the scammers will claim to offer help with the application of asset proof, tricking you into paying “deposits” to “law firms”. As soon as the scammers have received the money, they can no longer be reached.

 

Case Example: A 52-year-old male manager, in urgent need of working capital, agreed to apply for an HK$800,000 loan after receiving a scam call. Following the scammer’s instructions, he transferred HK$45,000 to the account of a “law firm” as collateral. He checked with the bank afterwards and realised that there was no such loan application – he has fallen prey to a scam.

 

Our Advice

  • If you receive calls or instant messages purportedly from bank staff, proactively contact corresponding banks to verify their identities and contact phone numbers. You may visit the web page of Hong Kong Association of Banks (list of hotlines of retail banks: https://www.hkab.org.hk/en/useful-information/smart-consumer#authenticate-marketing-calls-from-banks) and call the banks to verify the identities of telemarketers;

  • Bank staff will not ask customers to complete loan applications or sign contracts at places other than bank branches (e.g. law firms or other financial companies), or ask for guarantee money for their applications;

  • Before signing any contracts or documents, you should fully understand the contents and details;

  • Even if callers provide you with information about relevant bank staff members, it does not necessarily mean that they are genuine bank staff. Scammers can obtain such information by unlawful means. You should verify callers’ identities carefully;

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

 

Relevant scams

Bogus Bank Staff – “Unfreeze” bank accounts

https://www.adcc.gov.hk/en-hk/alerts-detail/alerts-1777629312172007426.html

Bogus Bank Staff – Help open accounts to apply for loans

https://www.adcc.gov.hk/en-hk/alerts-detail/alerts-1517436872439451650.html

Bogus Bank Staff – Asked to open accounts after being employed

https://www.adcc.gov.hk/en-hk/alerts-detail/alerts-1625746201248108546.html