4th October 2026 – (Hong Kong) Police are investigating after a 60‑year‑old woman reported losing about HK$21.5 million to a cryptocurrency investment scam orchestrated by a man she met on an online platform who claimed to be an investment expert. She was lured to place funds on a purported trading website and was later told to pay “guarantee” sums to demonstrate that her account had not been used for money laundering.
According to the complaint filed on 3rd October 2026, the victim made multiple transfers between 14th April and 22nd September to a designated account linked to the platform. She became suspicious when she was unable to recover her funds and sought police assistance.
Following a preliminary inquiry, the case has been classified as obtaining property by deception and assigned to the fourth team of the Criminal Investigation Unit of Sau Mau Ping Police District. No arrests have been made at this stage.
Police reminded the public that obtaining property by deception is a serious offence punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment upon conviction, and urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited investment approaches, demands for upfront payments, and platforms that pressure users to verify accounts through additional deposits.
