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Police arrested a mainland Chinese man outside Kowloon Tong MTR station on Wednesday for receiving cash from victims in "Guess Who I Am" telephone scams impersonating relatives in custody needing bail money; he is connected to 10 cases involving elderly victims and losses of HK$1.63 million, including one senior who lost his entire life savings of HK$600,000.
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The 69- to 88-year-old victims, all elderly, were called by scammers mimicking their children or relatives, claiming arrest in criminal cases, and demanding immediate cash for bail.
Victims, worried and panicked, delivered money to designated locations as instructed before realizing the deception and reporting to police.
The Kowloon City police district received two reports on January 20, reviewed extensive security camera footage, including cameras installed under the “SmartView” initiative, and spotted the suspect matching descriptions on January 21 outside Kowloon Tong station.
He was arrested for obtaining property by deception.
Further investigation linked him to eight additional similar cases this month across Hong Kong.
The largest single loss was HK$600,000 from a 69-year-old man tricked by a fake call from his "daughter." The arrested man remains in custody while police probe possible further involvement or accomplices.
Under the Theft Ordinance, obtaining property by deception carries up to 10 years' imprisonment.
Police warn against participating in such scams and urge families to monitor elderly relatives for signs of distress, sudden large cash withdrawals, or evasive behavior.
Bank staff should question large cash requests by seniors.
For suspicious urgent calls demanding money, hang up, verify directly using usual contact methods, and never transfer or hand over cash.
Police never demand bail payments to non-officers or outside stations. Call 18222 Anti-Scam Helpline or report to police if in doubt.
