Hong Kong police on Wednesday warned the public against scammers impersonating senior management of CLP Power Hong Kong, using counterfeit employee identity cards to promote a fake environmental waste investment project falsely claimed to be linked to the State Grid Corporation of China.
According to police, the scammer posed as the director of CLP’s recycling department. Officers noted that the forged employee identity card even contained a mixture of simplified and traditional Chinese characters.
CLP said its staff will not promote any investment projects through social media platforms or WeChat, nor will they request customers’ personal information or money. Members of the public who encounter suspicious cases are advised to verify the identity of any purported CLP employee by calling the company’s customer service hotline at 2678 2678.
Police also reminded the public that CLP’s official website is clp.com.hk, while the official website of the State Grid Corporation of China is sgcc.com.cn.
The public was further urged to verify the identity of financial representatives through the public register of licensed persons and registered institutions on the website of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong.
Members of the public can also contact the Anti-Scam Helpline at 18222 for inquiries.
Police said they issued a similar warning in May after scammers impersonated staff of HK Electric.
According to investigators, scammers typically first approach targets through social media platforms such as WeChat. Victims are then induced to register accounts on fake websites impersonating the State Grid Corporation of China and to transfer funds to designated bank accounts for supposed investments in waste recycling projects.
During the process, scammers fabricate profit records on bogus trading platforms to lure more victims. When victims later attempt to withdraw funds, the impostors delay payment using various excuses, including demands for high service charges, ultimately preventing victims from recovering their money.
