The scam also prompted the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, which manages the pension scheme, to immediately suspend its paperless verification process, known as eKYC, for registering online platform users. It apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Chief Inspector Lee Chun-man of the force’s cybersecurity and technology crime bureau said on Friday that the scam ring was discovered when a resident in late October attempted to open an eMPF account, only to find his identity had been stolen and an account had already been opened under his name.
About HK$810,000 had been withdrawn from the account under his name and transferred to a bank account opened using his stolen identity.
The eMPF platform is an online one-stop shop designed to allow users to pick their pension service providers, check performance and operate their accounts.
Superintendent Ferris Cheung Hau-yee said 12 victims had been discovered so far, with three suffering monetary loss totalling HK$1.8 million.
