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| Scammers use Whatsapp to get people to send money |
One would have thought by now people would be more wary about scams -- especially in Hong Kong -- but there's a new sucker every minute.
More than 130 people were victims of a scam in one week and lost a total of HK$1.7 million (US$217,300).
The scam involved fraudsters hijacking Whatsapp accounts, getting into their contact lists and duping people by sending messages posing as friends or relatives who urgently needed money due to emergencies.
The victims were asked to send money as soon as possible, but when they spoke to the real account holders, they found out they were scammed because they had already sent over the money.
It all starts by swindlers sending phishing text messages that are linked to fake websites and manage to trick users into giving their account verification codes.
"If you receive a text message asking for money or a bank transfer request from friends or relatives, please remember to call and confirm first," Hong Kong police said.
According to police figures on the theft of online accounts, 3,434 were reported last year, compared to only 168 in 2022. Most of the cases involved Whatsapp accounts.
Financial losses in these scams totalled HK$87.6 million in 2023, compared to HK$73.8 million the year before.
However in terms of total scams, Hong Kong recorded a 42.6 percent increase to 39,824 cases last year, from 27,923 reports the year before. The total amount lost rose by a staggering 89 percent to HK$9.1 billion in 2023, compared to HK$4.8 billion the year before.
When you get a strange message, stop and think carefully. Better yet, call the friend or relative in question first to see if they really are in trouble.
Fraudsters need to earn less money and more jail time!
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