The number of phone scams recorded in Hong Kong over the first five months of 2026 has surged 46 per cent compared with the same period last year, with a recent police operation arresting 61 suspects in cases involving more than HK$31 million (US$3.95 million).
The suspects, aged 17 to 82, were arrested this month in a police operation code-named “Pebblepace” that smashed 54 phone scam cases, mainly involving the “guess who I am” tactic. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining property by deception and money laundering.
Ten of the cases involved 22 elderly residents who received calls from scammers posing as relatives claiming to need bail money or medical fees, and instructing victims to hand over cash in person.
Chief Inspector Ho Ming-wai said on Saturday that 3,766 phone scam cases were recorded from January to May this year, involving losses of HK$720 million, marking a 46 per cent increase in cases and a 66 per cent jump in financial losses year on year.
“Among the phone scams, the most common tactic of scammers was posing as customer service representatives, accounting for 40 per cent of the cases. Among them, a 56-year-old man was tricked into transferring HK$3 million to a fraudster who claimed he had bought an insurance policy,” she said.
“We’ve found that most of these cash-on-delivery phone scams mainly target the elderly.
“Police would like to remind elderly residents that if they receive a call from a stranger, they must remain calm. They can then verify the situation by visiting or calling relatives and friends, or by discussing it with someone trustworthy.”
