Police report 30.7pc surge in online investment fraud cases last year, with one victim losing over $40m

Hong Kong Police recorded 5,135 online investment fraud cases in 2025, a 30.7 percent increase from the previous year, police announced, highlighting a major case where a woman lost more than HK$40 million to precious metals scammers.

Police disclosed in a Wednesday social media post that the figure rose by 1,205 cases compared with 2024.

Approximately 80.4 percent of victims were contacted by scammers through social media platforms or instant messaging apps before being targeted. 

In the largest reported case, a female victim was approached on Instagram and then moved to WhatsApp for further communication. 

The scammer lured her with promises of high profits from precious metals investments amid a booming market.

Unaware of the deception, the victim registered on a fake trading website and transferred funds 66 times to designated bank accounts, resulting in a total loss of more than HK$40 million.

Police reminded the public that unsolicited investment offers claiming “low risk and high return” on social media are highly likely scams. 

They urged citizens not to trust self-proclaimed investment experts or insider information. 

They recommend using the “Scameter” tool or "Scameter+" app, available through the police’s CyberDefender platform, to assess risks.