Police records 20 online grooming cases in the first two months of 2026; youngest victim aged 10

Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming on Monday revealed that the police recorded 20 cases related to online grooming of minors in the first two months of this year, with the youngest victim aged 10. 

Speaking at a seminar held by the force to explore ways to prevent and combat online grooming, Chow said that nearly half of these cases involved popular social media platforms, most of the victims were female, and one case resulted in rape. 

He said last year, the force handled 100 such cases, including 41 involving unlawful sexual intercourse with girls under 16, 22 indecent assaults, six voyeurism offences and five rapes.

He cited a police survey that found about 60 percent of secondary‑school respondents had experienced some form of online grooming, such as receiving inappropriate sexual messages or being assaulted after agreeing to meet criminals in person. 

Chow said that the study indicated higher risks for children who begin using social media early, spend extended time online, or maintain multiple accounts.

The police clinical psychology team is collaborating with the University of Hong Kong and the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention on a local study that examines victims and potential offenders to provide a more comprehensive picture of online grooming and guidance for prevention. 

Chow said the research seeks to understand how offenders select targets and employ tactics, with the goal of developing stronger preventive strategies to stop abuse before it occurs.