HK logs 20,000 scam cases in Jan-Jun, totalling $3.5bn

The Commercial Crime Bureau says more than 20,000 fraud cases have been recorded in the first half of 2026, with total financial losses exceeding 3.5 billion dollars.

Both the number of cases and the financial loss decreased by 1% year-on-year.

The Anti-Deception Coordination Centre recorded 2,151 cases of investment fraud among the 20,613 fraud cases so far this year.

However, the total loss from investment fraud is around 1.66 billion dollars, representing half of the total 3.5-billion-dollar losses from fraud cases.

In most scenarios, the fraudsters would persuade victims to invest in cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

They usually use advertisements and websites generated by AI and tell the victims they are registered overseas.

In a case involving the largest amount of around 80 million dollars, the 67-year-old victim met the fraudsters online and they later became a couple.

The victim was then persuaded to download an application to invest in cryptocurrency.

The individual was unable to withdraw funds afterwards.

The police says it is important to not download unknown applications and to call the 18222 hotline in case of suspected fraud.

While most of these scams lack physical presence, some scammers would establish offices to show they are reliable.

In some instances, influencers and celebrities are recruited to help with promotion, like in the case of the JPEX cryptocurrency exchange.

Acting Superintendent of Commercial Crime Bureau LO YUEN-SHAN: "Police will investigate all persons connected with the case, including the promotion mechanism and actual role played by different individuals."

Social media influencers and celebrities promoting virtual assets recklessly could also face charges.

The Police remind citizens to do their own research and seek public information before making investments.