The number of suspected scams involving unusually high and belated compensation claims for minor or non-existent traffic accidents in Hong Kong has doubled to more than 70 in less than a week, according to the security minister.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung told a radio programme on Sunday that the increase was recorded after publicity efforts by the force.
Authorities on Tuesday said they had recently received reports of drivers facing sudden massive civil claims, long after officers had closed the traffic cases. Some incidents involved a minor bump or even no collision.
The claims typically cover legal fees, medical expenses, loss of income, vehicle repairs and other miscellaneous costs, with each case involving several hundred thousand dollars.
Among the 30 cases that the force said it was reviewing on Tuesday, the largest claim exceeded HK$800,000 (US$102,560).
Tang said police had now received total reports of more than 70 cases and the force discovered that many of these bogus claims involved the same few law firms and doctors.
