A 64-year-old retired businesswoman reportedly lost HK$10 million in a cryptocurrency scam after a person posing as a prospective tenant persuaded her to buy cryptocurrency, according to a report. She owns property, shops and parking spaces.
She posted a property rental listing on Facebook in May 2026 and was contacted through WhatsApp by someone allegedly interested in renting. No tenancy was completed, but the two became online acquaintances.
The contact later allegedly claimed to be a cryptocurrency investment expert and offered to teach her investment strategies. The woman reportedly followed instructions to open a cryptocurrency wallet, during which the person obtained its information and password.
She then reportedly used HK$10 million in cash to buy an equivalent value of cryptocurrency. The alleged scammer subsequently transferred the cryptocurrency out of the wallet, leaving its balance at zero.
The woman realised she had been deceived after discovering the empty wallet, according to the report. The available information does not say whether she reported the case to police, whether anyone was identified or arrested, or whether the funds can be recovered.