University student, 21, arrested for nine mainland official impersonation scams

A 21-year-old university student has been arrested for his alleged involvement in nine separate phone scams where he posed as a mainland official.

The scams targeted victims including mainland students, homemakers, and retirees, resulting in combined losses of approximately HK$2.4 million, with a single victim losing around HK$700,000. One potential victim recognized the fraud and avoided financial loss.

The arrested individual, Chan, is a university student and was apprehended on charges of impersonating a police officer, obtaining property by deception, and attempting to obtain property by deception. He is currently in custody for further investigation.

According to a police spokesman, the force received reports from nine residents between July and September.

The victims reported receiving calls from a male scammer claiming to be a mainland law enforcement official who accused them of being involved in economic crimes, such as money laundering, and demanded they hand over funds for investigation.

Eight of the victims complied and met in person with another individual who identified himself as a "special investigator."

This "special investigator" reportedly showed a police warrant card and claimed to be assisting with the investigation, ultimately collecting about HK$2.4 million in cash from the victims.

The ninth target, however, became suspicious, refused to meet or transfer any money, and reported the incident.

After an extensive review of surveillance footage, Yau Tsim District police identified and arrested the suspect at his Cheung Sha Wan home on Wednesday afternoon.

During the search, police seized two forged Hong Kong auxiliary police warrant cards, a fake confidentiality agreement, a mobile phone, a computer, a photocopier, and clothing believed to have been worn during the crimes.

(Marco Lam)