香港警方嚴厲打擊網路詐欺及電話詐騙，逮捕1200人，受害者報稱損失達21.7億港元

In a significant crackdown on online fraud and telephone deception, Hong Kong police have apprehended over 1,200 individuals suspected of defrauding more than 2,800 residents of HK$2. 17 billion. The force disclosed on Friday that 871 men and 352 women were detained on suspicion of money laundering, conspiracy to defraud, and obtaining property by deception during an 18-day citywide operation named 'Attackplan' that concluded on Thursday.

The detainees were linked to 827 reports of deception and technology-related crimes, with the total losses amounting to HK$2. 17 billion, according to Superintendent Rachel Hui Yee-wai. Hui, from the cybersecurity and technology crime bureau, stated that the majority of the cases involved online investment scams, employment fraud, and e-shopping swindles. During the operation, the police also froze over HK$26 million in suspected crime proceeds and confiscated numerous mobile phones and computers.

Chief Inspector Alex Fan Wai-ho of the financial intelligence and investigation bureau revealed that nearly 80 per cent of the detainees, or 966 individuals, possessed bank accounts that were utilized to collect scammed money and launder illicit funds. 'The situation is worrisome,' he expressed. Fan's investigations uncovered that criminal syndicates recruited domestic helpers to establish bank accounts used for money laundering. They also posted on social media to entice residents, particularly the youth, into offering their bank accounts for a small sum of money.