42 complaints over fraudulent construction job ads

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data received 42 complaints from construction workers, who were suspected to have been tricked into revealing personal data by fraudulent job advertisements.

Forty-two suspected fraud cases were reported to the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, or PCPD, over the past two weeks,

involving construction workers who came across recruitment messages on social media, including WhatsApp, Facebook and WeChat groups.

After expressing interest in job vacancies advertised, they were asked to provide the so-called "recruiters" with their personal documents, including ID cards, construction worker registration cards, and construction industry safety training certificates, also known as the "three essentials for construction sites."

Some even shared their bank account details.

The workers were later told to gather at specific MTR stations, but the recruiters failed to show up and could no longer be contacted.

Fearing their information could be used illegally, the workers lodged complaints with the PCPD.

The Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union expressed anger over the issue.

Union Chairman Chau Sze-kit said workers generally do not have to provide "three essentials for construction sites" before a formal interview.

In addition, he pointed out that employers rarely recruit through social media platforms, as most companies have their own established networks of subcontractors and workers.

The privacy watchdog advises job seekers to verify the identities of recruiters through official or reliable channels, and avoid sharing sensitive information to unknown parties.