"Walking Red Packet" scammer targets elderly during Lunar New Year

During the Lunar New Year, a key tradition is the giving of red packets, but a recent incident in North Point has sparked online outrage. A scammer, exploiting this festive practice, has been targeting elderly individuals, begging for red packets.

A Facebook post detailed the activities of this scammer, who was spotted on the first day of the Lunar New Year (Jan 29). The individual, a woman, was seen near the Sunbeam Theatre and City Garden in North Point.

She was dressed in bright orange, adorned with a large red head accessory, and carried one red and one orange handbag, resembling a human red packet.

The post included a video where the woman was observed approaching pedestrians, wishing them a Happy Lunar New Year, and then asking if they had red packets to give.

In one instance, she approached an elderly woman who, after declining, was laughed off by the scammer, who then wished her a Happy New Year before moving on to another potential target.

Another video showed the same woman, in identical attire, repeating her actions with another elderly woman outside a convenience store. This time, the elderly woman appeared shocked but eventually opened her wallet, presumably to give money.

Comments on the video indicated that the scammer specifically targeted elderly individuals. Further reports from citizens noted similar sightings in Quarry Bay, where the woman continued her scheme.

The online community expressed anger over the scammer's actions, particularly her focus on well-dressed elderly individuals. Some netizens humorously suggested giving her empty red packets or those filled with white paper as a countermeasure.