In recent months, there has been a significant increase in the number of students falling victim to telephone deception scams, particularly those involving the “Pretending to be Officials” tactic targeting mainland students studying in Hong Kong. Callers impersonate law enforcement from "Mainland or Hong Kong law enforcement", falsely accusing students of crimes such as money laundering, and send fake “warrants” via chat apps to demand "bail" payments. In an advanced twist, victims are coerced into acting as “special investigators,” collecting money from other victims. Students are urged to remain vigilant, never trust such calls.

The University collaborates closely with the Hong Kong Police Force to protect you. To raise awareness, the Police have prepared promotional videos, which you can access here:

1. Warning! The truth behind the non-local student being tricked into becoming a "spy" has been exposed (Chinese Version Only) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNaioIFyohY)

2. Anti-scam Battle – Pretend Officials (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7tsgDbmzjI)

Important Reminders for Students:

• Law enforcement agencies will NEVER handle cases, issue warrants, or request payments over the phone.
• Real arrest warrants are NEVER sent through social media or chat apps.
• NEVER disclose personal details, bank information, or transfer money to an unsolicited caller.
• In doubt, please call the "Anti-Scam Helpline 18222" for enquiries.

We have also attached further information from the Hong Kong Police Force for your reference.

Besides scams impersonating officials, we have recently received reports of scam cases in which scammers pretend to be university staff and ask students to transfer money to their bank accounts. We would like to remind all the students to remain vigilant and verify the identity of a caller through different channels when receiving suspicious phone calls/messages, and should NOT disclose any personal information and transfer money to others arbitrarily. If you feel stressed or worried due to a scam or deception case, our counselors are here to support you. You can schedule an appointment to speak with them by visiting our website.