Safeguarding Against Scams and Fraud

As Hong Kong’s digital ecosystem continues to evolve, residents should take note of possible risks and dangers that arise in the cyberworld. While the government has taken significant measures to protect the public from deception, understanding ways to safeguard oneself against fraudulent activity can also ensure a smoother experience online. This article will cover existing cybersecurity initiatives and essential tips to help you navigate Hong Kong’s digital landscape safely. 

Protecting residents from fraud and scams

To combat and increase public awareness of common scams and frauds more effectively, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) has set up the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) to consolidate all relevant efforts. Active since 20 July 2017, the ADCC operates the all-day “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” to provide immediate consultation for the general public and enhance support for frontline units of the Force.

To keep the public informed, the ADCC also publishes “Latest Scam Alerts”, which offers compilations of trending scams and frauds via email and social media platforms such as “Xiaohongshu”, “Douyin”, and YouTube. Additionally, residents can receive scam alerts and updates on the latest methods of deception through the Force’s anti-deception publicity and education campaigns. They can also obtain immediate support from the Force’s frontline units. These measures have enabled law enforcement to monitor and analyse deception cases, provide risk evaluation, and take timely action to ensure the safety of Hong Kong residents.

Despite the advancements in Hong Kong's digital ecosystem, traditional telephone scams remain a significant concern in Hong Kong. These scams frequently involve scammers posing as government officials, law enforcement agents, or representatives of reputable organizations. It is therefore essential for individuals to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls. This includes verifying the caller's identity, especially if they request personal information or payments. As scammers often create a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into hasty decisions, it is also important to take a moment to disconnect and independently confirm the authenticity of the call.

Alongside policy changes, security improvements, proactive public services announcements, and crackdowns, initiatives by the HKPF also aim to raise awareness of phishing, identity theft, blackmail, and other cybercrimes. For instance, the CyberDefender website was created to share insights on various forms of cybercrimes, serving as the latest resource platform for parents, teachers, and members of the general public.

Taking cybersecurity into your own hands

While the government has dedicated monumental effort to supporting and protecting the community, the key to combating deception lies on the individual level. Across industries, different user products and resources have been launched to empower Hong Kong citizens against fraudulent activity. 

In line with requirements by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), all retail banks have adopted the Real-time Fraud Monitoring System to strengthen early disruption of mule accounts and proactive identification of potential fraud payments. Another pivotal collaborative effort between banks and the ADCC, the “Upstream Scam Intervention” commenced in May 2023; it intervenes in ongoing deceptions at the earliest stage by alerting potential victims via text messages, phone calls and/or in person. Furthermore, the all-in-one scam and pitfall search engine "Scameter" was launched in September 2022. Its mobile app "Scameter+" features three new functions: Call Alert, Website Detection, and Public Intelligence, offering real-time protection and allowing users to share suspicious information instantly. By leveraging crowd-sourced public intelligence to maintain a constantly up-to-date database, the app enables users to check for potential risks and helps protect them against deception

Widely used for person-to-person and consumer-to-business transactions, FPS is a free inter-bank payment platform in Hong Kong. Introduced in November 2023, the FPS Suspicious Proxy ID Alert Model (aka High Risk Alert) integrates the “Scameter” database into FPS, alerting users to high-risk transactions and scams without additional software. Since August 2024, the mechanism has been extended to cover internet banking, branch transfers, and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).  

Through cybersecurity efforts by the government and community, deception cases have remained low in Hong Kong. However, it is still important to remain vigilant and informed at all times during online activity. If you receive suspicious phone calls or recordings, you can report them to the Anti-Scam Helpline at (852) 18222. For more anti-scam tips, please visit the ADCC website.