Police arrested the 19-year-old college student at her home in the Western District on September 9, alleging that she helped a phone scam ring impersonating officials or mainland public security officers.
Police allege she acted as the group’s “special agent”, showing victims fake mainland public security identification and handing them forged confidentiality agreements to gain their trust.
The scammers allegedly posed as Guangdong public security officers, claimed that victims were linked to money laundering in mainland China and demanded a “deposit” to prove their innocence.
The reported losses total about HK$1.8 million. Ming Pao said three victims lost that amount, including one who lost as much as HK$640,000, while Star Headline reported that the student was linked to at least three cases. Ming Pao said the wider investigation involved four cases, so the reports differ on the number of cases and do not establish that all four involved the reported losses.
During the investigation, police found another person who had not reported the matter and stopped the person from transferring money to the scammers.
Ming Pao reported that the student had earlier received a similar call from people posing as officials but had not lost money. She was later allegedly asked to join the group as a “special agent” and received about HK$8,000, the report said. Police reportedly found a fake police appointment certificate and fake public security identification at her Western District home.
Ming Pao reported that she was due to face four counts of conspiracy to defraud and appear at Eastern Magistrates’ Court on September 11. Police warned that people who assist fraud may face criminal liability, adding that scammers may use fear, pressure and isolation, or promises of “merit for reduced liability”, to recruit victims as intermediaries.