Police warn of fundraising fraud linked to Tai Po fire

The Hong Kong police warned the public on Thursday to avoid scanning QR codes without verification or providing any banking or credit card information to unknown individuals who claim to be in support of the Tai Po fire victims. 

The police reminded citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent fundraising activities. 

If receiving fundraising promotions from unknown sources, citizens should proactively verify the legitimacy with the relevant organizations. 

If contacted by someone claiming to be affiliated with these organizations, they should thoroughly confirm the caller’s identity. 

Personal information, including names, ID numbers, bank account details, online banking credentials and passwords, should not be shared with strangers, it added.

Genuine help, police stressed, should only be channelled through trusted and well-established organizations. 

They encouraged anyone who encounters suspicious appeals to contact the official anti-scam hotline 18222 immediately and to alert friends and family to the risk.