Hong Kong police record 34,000 scams in first three quarters, losses exceed HK$6 billion
Hong Kong police recorded about 34,000 scams in the first three quarters of 2025, with losses exceeding HK$6 billion, both up year-on-year. A survey of 600 seniors found 60 per cent lacked confidence in financial literacy, and 40 per cent said AI made scams harder to spot.
Hong Kong police recorded about 34,000 scams in the first three quarters of 2025, with total losses exceeding HK$6.02 billion, Police Commissioner Monday Miu said on 4 November. Both the number of cases and the amount of money lost rose compared with the same period last year.
Speaking at a community support programme launched by Po Leung Kuk and Shanghai Commercial Bank to promote fraud prevention, Miu said the findings of a related survey would help shape future anti-fraud strategies and promote correct financial concepts. He described fraud prevention as a persistent social engineering effort that requires the combined strength of all sectors of society.
The survey, which polled more than 600 people aged 65 or above, found that 60 per cent lacked confidence in managing their finances and distinguishing genuine investment information from falsehoods. Eighty per cent of respondents said they had received suspected fraudulent information in the past three months. Nearly 40 per cent believed artificial intelligence had made scams harder to identify.
Miu said the survey results had practical reference value for developing anti-fraud strategies and promoting proper financial concepts. He stressed that fraud prevention work must be sustained through joint efforts, raising public vigilance and defence capabilities to effectively protect citizens' property.
The commissioner called for collaborative efforts to enhance public alertness and defensive capabilities, saying only by strengthening prevention at the source could citizens' property be effectively safeguarded.
