Hong Kong police have detained a Malaysian national suspected of collecting proceeds from telephone scams targeting two elderly victims, according to two reports. The callers allegedly posed as the victims’ relatives and claimed they had become involved in criminal cases requiring bail money.
Both victims reportedly handed over cash before contacting their relatives and discovering that they had been deceived. The reports describe the suspected offence as obtaining property by deception, rather than confirming that the detainee has been formally charged.
Police allege that the Malaysian national was recruited or induced to come to Hong Kong to collect the scam proceeds. The reports say the work was presented as offering potentially high returns, with little risk or experience required. The suspect was detained for further investigation.
The supplied reports give conflicting details about the case. One identifies the suspect as a 36-year-old Malaysian man who said he was visiting Hong Kong, while the other describes a 53-year-old Malaysian woman arrested at a guesthouse on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. They also differ over the victims’ ages and genders, the total loss, the locations where money was handed over, the police district handling the investigation and whether the arrest took place on August 24 or 25, 2026. It is not clear whether the reports concern the same incident or separate similar cases.
In the account identifying a male suspect, police used CCTV footage through the “Sharp Eyes” programme to identify him. Officers were also continuing to examine whether he was linked to other similar cases, according to that report.
Police are considering prosecution and continuing their investigation, including possible links to additional cases. The reports do not confirm a formal charge or resolve the conflicting details about the suspect, the victims, the losses or the locations.