Around 80pc mainland students scammed were new to HK, says police chief

Hong Kong’s police chief said on Saturday that about 80 percent of mainland university students scammed were new to Hong Kong, with some even being scammed before the start of the school year.

Speaking to the press this morning, Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu Chak-yee said some students have tragically taken their own lives after falling victim to the scams.

He urged all sectors to propose substantive and effective measures to protect students studying in Hong Kong from fraud. He also hoped that such cases would raise awareness in society.

Meanwhile, Siu said the police force has conducted various publicity efforts with universities, but noted that some students did not pay attention as they believed they were too smart to be scammed.

The force will work with universities to enhance anti-fraud measures, and hopes the students will fill out anti-fraud questionnaires before coming to Hong Kong, said Siu.

However, he said authorities will not bar those who failed to fill in the questionnaire from coming to Hong Kong.