Cybercrime is evolving, with online shopping fraud emerging as a growing threat despite a slight overall decline in technology-related crimes, Hong Kong police warned Thursday.
Cyber Security Division Superintendent Baron Chan revealed a startling 29% spike in online shopping fraud cases, with losses nearly doubling to approximately HK$360 million last year.
Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, have become breeding grounds for sophisticated scams. More than 40% of fraud cases were linked to Facebook, where criminals meticulously craft fake pages complete with fabricated reviews and comments to lure unsuspecting consumers.
The surge reflects changing consumer behaviors, Chan noted. “Consumers are now more willing to trade high-value items online, from luxury watches to cryptocurrencies,” he explained.
Emerging trends show scammers are increasingly targeting major events. Approximately 15% of online shopping frauds involved fake ticket sales, coinciding with the return of live shows and concerts to the city.
Phishing schemes and fraudulent cheque transactions remain prevalent tactics among cybercriminals.
Chan offered critical advice for consumers:
- Transact only with reputable sellers
- Prefer in-person transactions when possible
- Purchase event tickets through official channels
- Carefully verify account balances during financial transactions
Despite the online shopping fraud increase, the total number of technology crimes marginally decreased to 33,903 cases, representing a less than 1% reduction from the previous year.
The report underscores the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and increasingly sophisticated digital criminals.
