A 39-year-old Hong Kong man transferred more than HK$3 million to a woman he met on Telegram after she claimed she was forced into sex work and needed funds for debts and a relative’s funeral—only to discover he had been scammed when she disappeared.
With Valentine’s Day nearing, police warn of a sharp rise in online romance scams targeting people hoping to find a companion for the holiday.
In the past week alone, authorities received at least 15 such reports, with combined losses surpassing HK$11 million.
In the highlighted case, the victim connected with a woman claiming to be from Taiwan through a Telegram dating group last November.
She quickly built trust by sharing a dramatic story of being coerced into prostitution.
Over the next two months, she repeatedly asked for financial help, citing urgent needs such as repaying debts and covering funeral costs for a family member.
Emotionally invested, the man sent more than HK$3 million across 15 separate bank transfers. When contact suddenly stopped, he realized the entire relationship was a fraud.
Police stress that scammers often exploit feelings of affection or loneliness, especially around romantic holidays. Common red flags include rapid requests for money, stories involving emergencies or debts, and pressure to send funds via bank transfer or other irreversible methods.
Authorities urge caution when interacting with strangers online: verify identities, avoid sharing financial details, and never transfer money to someone met digitally.
They remind the public that genuine connections rarely involve urgent financial demands from people known only through apps or chat groups.
