Student, 19, among 20 arrested for posing as secret agent in $1.5m fraud

Western District police arrested 20 people in an anti-deception operation, including a 19-year-old tertiary student who posed as a secret agent to defraud five victims of more than HK$1.5 million.

Those arrested include 16 men and four women, who are suspected of money laundering, fraud, wasteful employment of police, and other offenses involving over HK$2 million in illicit funds.

The investigation began after reports were filed between June and December this year. Victims received calls from scammers pretending to be mainland law enforcement officers, accusing them of economic crimes.

Following fraudsters' instructions, the victims handed cash to the 19-year-old suspect at designated spots, where he presented himself as a special agent investigator.

A total of five victims delivered over HK$1.5 million in cash to the suspect. All cases have been classified as obtaining property by deception.

During encounters, the suspect introduced himself as a special agent, recited pre-provided numerical codes, and displayed fake confidentiality orders purportedly issued by mainland public security authorities to build trust.

Searches at his residence uncovered the counterfeit documents and mobile phones used in the scheme.

The suspect has admitted to the crimes in initial interviews. Further probes show his involvement in similar offenses in areas including Sha Tin and Sai Kung.