Daily Impact: Receives 3-4 scam calls daily, up to 8 on busy days
Friend's Close Call: A mainland Chinese student friend nearly lost HK$200,000 to a fake police scam
Key Issue: Difficulty identifying scam calls as patterns become less reliable
Telephone Scams in Hong Kong
Understanding the Growing Threat and Building Awareness
44,480
Deception Cases in 2024
9,204
Telephone Scams in 2024
HK$2.9B
Total Losses in 2024
The Problem
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Rising Trend
Telephone scam cases in Hong Kong have increased dramatically, especially since COVID-19. From 3,213 cases in 2023 to 9,204 cases in 2024 - nearly tripling in just one year.
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Vulnerable Groups
International students, elderly citizens, and newcomers to Hong Kong are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scam tactics and social engineering.
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Financial Impact
Total losses from telephone scams reached HK$2.9 billion in 2024, more than doubling from HK$1.1 billion in 2023.
Research Findings
Click on any chart to view in full size. Data shows comprehensive analysis of telephone scam trends in Hong Kong from multiple government sources.
Key Insights
- COVID-19 Impact: Sharp rise from 8,216 cases in 2019 to 15,553 in 2020 (89.3% increase)
- Continued Growth: Sustained high growth rates through 2023, with slight stabilization in 2024
- Telephone Scams: Specific telephone scam cases tripled from 2023 to 2024
- Positive Trend: Early 2025 shows reduced average losses per case, suggesting improved awareness
Why the Increase?
The pandemic forced a shift to digital interactions, creating new opportunities for scammers. Increased online activity, remote work, and reliance on telecommunications made people more vulnerable to phone-based scams.
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Survey Results
53 participants shared their experiences with telephone scams
Scam Call Frequency
Most respondents receive scam calls frequently (4+ times per week)
Common Scam Types
Fake bank calls followed by lottery/prize scams are most reported
Reporting Rate
Only 10% have ever reported scam calls to authorities
Victimization
3.8% of respondents reported falling victim to scams
Prevention Measures Used
Most common prevention strategies used by survey respondents.
Click to view in full size.
Source: GECC4130 Survey (53 participants)
Key Behavioral Patterns
All-or-Nothing Pattern
Respondents either employ multiple prevention strategies or take no action at all.
Emotional Impact
Even without financial loss, most report irritation, feeling unsafe, and anxiety.
Campaign Awareness
75% recall seeing anti-scam campaigns, but few rate them as highly effective.
Personal Stories
Real experiences from 5 interview participants
Common Themes
- Targeting Vulnerable Groups: International students with financial resources are prime targets
- Reporting Barriers: Confusion about how and where to report scam calls
- Need for Education: Universities should implement mandatory anti-scam education
- Campaign Limitations: Current efforts mainly target locals, missing vulnerable newcomers
How to Protect Yourself
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Don't Answer Unknown Numbers
69.8% of survey respondents avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. Let suspicious calls go to voicemail.
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Use Call-Blocking Apps
49.1% use call-blocking software. Consider apps like Scameter or built-in phone blocking features.
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Verify with Others
34% verify suspicious calls with family or friends. Don't make decisions alone when under pressure.
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Block Suspicious Numbers
43.4% block suspicious callers. Report numbers to authorities and block them on your device.
🚨 Warning Signs of Scam Calls
- Urgent demands for money or personal information
- Claims about frozen bank accounts or legal troubles
- Requests to transfer money to "safe" accounts
- Pressure to keep the conversation secret
- Requests for passwords, PINs, or verification codes
- Offers that sound too good to be true
Important Resources
Anti-Scam Helpline
18222 - Report suspicious calls and get advice
Scameter App
Download the official app to check suspicious numbers and receive alerts
Police Reporting
Report scam attempts to Hong Kong Police Force online or at local stations
Educational Video
Educational video coming soon!
Our team is creating a comprehensive video guide about telephone scam prevention in Hong Kong.