Phone scammers exploit Hong Kong public’s Covid-19 fears as more than HK$720 million (RM433.4mil) stolen from victims in first nine months of year

Ray Cheung, a senior inspector with the Hong Kong Police anti-deception coordination centre, highlights the risks of phone scams on Monday. — Photo: Edmond So/SCMP

Phone scammers have exploited public fears over Covid-19 as more than HK$720 million (RM433.4mil) in losses were logged in Hong Kong as the total take by fraudsters hit HK$3.3 billion (RM1.98bil) for the first nine months of the year, police have said.

The force on Monday said scammers had impersonated health officials and preyed on the willingness of victims to comply with pandemic health regulations.