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Scams and swindles

Scams and swindles
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Scams and swindles. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A closed Philippine online gaming operator (Pogo) hub inside the former Island Cove resort in Kawit, Cavite province in December 2024. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Can Philippines’ new anti-Pogo playbook rein in fast-moving scam hubs?

The new inter-agency rules aim to give investigators a framework tailored to Pogo-linked crime and support a coordinated response.

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Malaysia

Video | Why Malaysian-Indians are less likely to be scammed

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Law Society closes firm linked to crash-for-cash scam

Malaysia

‘Barrage of questions’: Malaysian Indians least likely to be scammed, police say

Despite all races being equally targeted, ethnic Indians lost the least because they would keep questioning until the scammers gave up.

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Little India in Kuala Lumpur. Ethnic Indians account for about 7 per cent of Malaysia’s population. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong courts

Brokerage clerk admits helping syndicate defraud employer of HK$31 million

Wong Pui-shan approved withdrawals from company accounts after being contacted by man claiming she was subject of Beijing national security office probe.

Thailand

Thailand to extradite Indonesian man in US$10 million scam targeting Americans

The suspect allegedly hired models to lure targets into phoney investment schemes over video calls, dating apps and social media.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | Gold scams are a reminder that crime prevention must keep up

The city’s anti-scam work must continue to evolve as scammers exploit new vulnerabilities with AI and seemingly limitless imagination.

A jewellery store in Tsim Sha Tsui on January 28. Photo: Sam Tsang
Cambodia

US slaps sanctions on Cambodian senator suspected of controlling scam centres

The sanction freezes all US assets linked to Senator Kok An and his named associates, and bars any American national from dealing with them.

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Chinese history

Inside the 14k, the Hong Kong triad that went global

From its roots in mainland China to expansion in Hong Kong and beyond, we look at the history of one of the most notorious triad societies.

The Philippines

This retiree in the Philippines downloaded an app. Then he lost his life savings

Industrial-scale malware is replacing ‘pig-butchering’ as Cambodia’s scam hubs pivot to high-speed digital heists.

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“Malware-as-a-service” seizes control of a user’s phone after gaining entry through a fraudulent app, monitoring use in real-time and harvesting data such as fingerprints. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 9 over HK$1.7 million in fake travel insurance claims

Syndicate allegedly faked overseas accidents with forged documents to claim payouts from insurers without ever leaving the city.

Nine suspects have been held after Hong Kong police uncovered a scheme involving bogus overseas accident claims and forged documents. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Malaysia

How an alleged Malaysian scammer vanished with US$25 billion in life savings

More than 300 ­foreign nationals flock to Malaysia in pursuit of justice over the ‘High Inspirations’ scam.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Scammers trick students abroad into buying gold in fake money-laundering probes

Hong Kong police say at least nine victims studying in UK, Australia and other countries have fallen prey to the scams.

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Trending in China

China influencer recounts harrowing Cambodia cyber scam plight; live-stream cut short

After her return, Umi tested positive for drugs; doctors suspect her leg pain was from nerve compression due to immobility.

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Chinese influencer Umi who was tricked into telecom fraud while in Cambodia, recounted her ordeal in a recent live-stream that was cut short. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/RedNote
United States

How a bear costume cost these luxury car insurance scamsters their freedom

A bear-suit scam in California landed three people in jail for faking luxury car damage and seeking US$142,000 in fraudulent insurance claims.

A bear suit is part of the evidence that has been used to convict three people for staged attacks on luxury cars for insurance payouts. Photo: California Department of Insurance/TNS
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman loses HK$4.9 million to bogus online ‘investment experts’

Victim lured by social media advertisement promising high-return stock investments, police say.

Financial crime

Hot tips, cold reality: China targets online stock scams luring novice investors

Crackdown targets social media accounts offering bogus stock tips, paid groups and AI-driven tools amid surge in retail scams.

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Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong taxpayers deserve clarity on Covid-era SME loan scheme

In addition to efforts to secure repayment of defaulted loans, the public should receive an accounting of whether the spending was a good investment.

People walk past a closed shop in Causeway Bay on March 16, 2020. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong taxpayers face HK$28 billion Covid bad-loan burden from SMEs

Of 67,189 applications approved under government’s Special 100% Loan Guarantee Scheme, 13,231 had defaulted by end of February.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hongkonger arrested on suspicion of underage sex and scamming girls of HK$33,000

Suspect told girls they could earn money with ‘compensated dating’, only for him to have sex with them and extract cash using excuses, police say.

Crime in Hong Kong

Number of phishing cases drops in Hong Kong but victims lose more money

Police urge public to be vigilant after separate exercise finds 13 per cent of workers clicked on phishing email links sent as a test.

Police hold a press conference on phishing messages at their headquarters in Wan Chai. Photo: Jelly Tse
Singapore

Singapore drama sparks Malaysian ire over scam hub depiction

Mediacorp defended ‘Highway to Somewhere’ against criticism, saying the show raises scam awareness and highlights Malaysia’s beauty.

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“Highway to Somewhere” was filmed in various locations in Malaysia, including Ipoh. Photo: Shutterstock
Southeast Asia forced-labour scams

Video | Inside a scam centre on the Cambodia-Thailand border

The town-sized O’Smach Resort complex, which once housed 29 scam companies, occupies roughly 80 hectares (197 acres).

Thailand

Thailand seizes US$260 million from scammers in ‘decisive’ crackdown

The latest seizure includes cash, cars and bank deposits, bringing the total value of assets confiscated to more US$620 million.

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Hong Kong courts

Cook jailed for 11 months over selling account used to dupe Tai Po fire donors

Cham Shu-shing also fined HK$4,500 for selling Alipay digital wallet to scammers, knowing it would be used for illegal purposes.

The West Kowloon Court building. The defence said Cham Shu-shing, a father of one, was unemployed at the time of the crime and needed to earn quick cash. Photo: Jelly Tse
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong car owner loses HK$500,000 in fuel membership card scam

Fraudsters exploit surging fuel prices by offering bogus prepaid petrol card deals, police say.

The scammers promised discounts through prepaid petrol cards and lured the victim into making immediate purchases, police say. Photo: Sam Tsang
Cambodia

Why Cambodia’s new law may do little to combat its scam centres

Analysts warn the lack of provisions addressing the role officials and networks play in enabling scams may limit the law’s effectiveness.

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Cambodia

Opinion | To beat Cambodia’s scam gangs, US must work with China – not blame it

Taking down the deeply rooted, well-connected syndicates would require both Washington’s economic leverage and Beijing’s operational efforts.

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