Police arrested a 22-year-old local man on 6 September on suspicion of obtaining property by deception in connection with an alleged fake fundraising operation. The case is being handled by the Mong Kok district crime squad.
Reports said people posed as volunteers or representatives of the Hong Kong Society for the Rescue of Cats and Dogs during the organisation’s flag day, soliciting donations around Mong Kok. Hung Hom was also mentioned in one report. At least 14 people were reportedly recruited as temporary flag sellers at HK$70 an hour, but publicly available information does not establish whether the other workers knew about any alleged impersonation or fraud, or what their legal status is.
The allegedly misleading materials included collection bags bearing wording such as “RSPCA Certified”. Collector cards reportedly carried the name Hong Kong Society for the Rescue of Cats and Dogs and claimed that the activity had been approved by the Social Welfare Department.
Reports said an animal volunteer noticed the suspected operation and alerted police, after which officers took action in the area. The reports did not establish whether the other reported workers were arrested, detained or treated as witnesses.
The organisation warned on social media that people had misused its name to sell flags and urged members of the public not to donate indiscriminately.
The 22-year-old man remains the only reported arrest in the case. The amount collected, whether any donors lost money, the status of the other reported workers, and the source of the bags and collector cards have not been disclosed.