Police linked nine alleged rental-fraud cases to about HK$1.04 million in losses and arrested five people on October 12 on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud. The group was said to have operated for about two months, targeting students coming to Hong Kong and people arriving for work under the Top Talent Pass Scheme.
Police said the group posted fake Hong Kong flat listings on mainland social-media platforms and posed as estate agents, exploiting newcomers’ unfamiliarity with local rental procedures. Some victims were taken to view properties with licensed agents accompanying them, which police said helped make the arrangements look legitimate.
After viewings, victims were allegedly led to an office in the Kwai Chung area to sign forged tenancy agreements. Police said they were then directed to transfer rent and deposits, covering periods from three months to a year, to designated personal bank accounts. The alleged scammers stopped responding after payment.
Some victims never came to Hong Kong to see the flats. They reportedly relied on videos, signed agreements online and transferred money. HK01 reported that the largest individual loss was HK$190,000 after a victim paid a year’s rent, having been offered a purported discount for paying upfront.
The investigation began after a student reported losing a deposit; police then linked the report to eight further cases.
The five arrested were three men and two women, aged 17 to 45. HK01, citing a source, reported that investigators were still examining whether an estate agent who accompanied victims was an accomplice or had been used by the group.
The Estate Agents Authority’s executive director advised newcomers and students to use a licensed estate agent. A proper advertisement should show the agency’s business name and licence number, the property’s unique advertisement number and the date the advert was issued. Prospective tenants can check an agent’s name and licence details in the Authority’s online directory.
The executive director also advised tenants to inspect the property in person, check the agent’s identification and use proper estate-agency and tenancy agreements. Before signing, they should confirm that the landlord is the owner or otherwise entitled to rent out the property. Rent and deposits should be paid directly to that person, not an intermediary.