A sophisticated phishing scheme exploiting the recent tragic fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has emerged, with brazen scammers impersonating mainland Chinese government and emergency personnel to trick citizens into divulging personal data or transferring funds. This new wave of crime, noted specifically for its level of professional poise and accurate personal details, is alarming security experts and law enforcement.
The elaborate hoax centers on phone calls where fraudsters, claiming to be officials from entities like the Guangzhou Fire Headquarters, accuse victims of illicit fundraising activities related to the catastrophic fifth-alarm blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which resulted in significant casualties. A journalist from a local newspaper recently received such a call, providing a detailed look into the methodology of these highly convincing operators.
The scammer, speaking in Mandarin, initiated the call by accurately stating the journalist’s full name and identification number—details likely obtained through data breaches. The impersonator then gravely alleged that the victim’s mainland China mobile number was used to send fraudulent text messages to Guangzhou residents, soliciting donations under the guise of the Hong Kong fire disaster.
When the journalist contested not possessing a mainland mobile number, the imposter became notably stern, demanding full cooperation with an immediate “investigation.” The sophisticated nature of the deceit was highlighted by the caller’s serious tone and attempts to pressure the victim by stressing the potential for severe legal consequences.
“Whether or not you have traveled to the mainland has little bearing on this issue,” the fraudster reportedly stated, adding the chilling claim that many Guangzhou residents had already fallen victim to these scams, implying the victim was complicit or had their identity stolen.
The Anatomy of a High-Stakes Scam
Alarmingly, the scammers appeared confident and well-rehearsed. When confronted about possible identity theft used to register the fraudulent mainland SIM card, the caller feigned concern while maintaining credibility.
“It is possible criminal syndicates used illegal channels to steal your identification information to register that number and send fraudulent messages,” the impersonator replied, carefully avoiding overt demands for money initially.
To bolster their façade, the fraudsters encouraged the journalist to independently verify the legitimacy of their department by calling the official Guangzhou Fire Headquarters number, a tactic often used by criminals who have managed to digitally spoof government phone numbers.
Later in the call, the fraudster abruptly shifted strategy, claiming the matter was “outside our executive range” and suggesting the case be forwarded to an “anti-scam center.” This pivot, followed by a second simultaneous call from another accomplice, is designed to escalate confusion and pressure.
Law Enforcement Warnings and Safety Measures
This new scheme demonstrates a concerning evolution in cross-border telephone scams, moving beyond simple monetary requests to highly personalized accusations leveraging sensitive current events.
Authorities in Hong Kong have issued urgent warnings. Police emphasize that victims should immediately hang up on unsolicited calls from anyone claiming to be a mainland “Public Security” (Gongan) official, especially those using phone numbers preceded by the international code +86.
The police reiterated several key points for public protection:
- No Cross-Border Investigations: Mainland officials or law enforcement agencies will never initiate investigations by telephoning Hong Kong citizens.
- No Remote Summons: Officials will not require Hong Kong residents to travel to the mainland for questioning based on a phone call.
- Zero Financial Requests: Genuine law enforcement will never ask for online banking passwords or instruct citizens to transfer funds to specific bank accounts over the phone.
The public is strongly encouraged to call the Anti-Scam Helpline 18222 immediately if they suspect they have been targeted by a fraudulent call. The highly convincing nature of this latest scam underscores the necessity for absolute vigilance against social engineering tactics exploiting public tragedies.
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