Bogus emails, advertisement and phone calls purportedly associated with HKMA

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has recently received public enquiries regarding emails, advertisement and phone calls claiming to be associated with the HKMA. They include:
 

1. A fraudster posing as an HKMA staff claimed to be able to assist in the recovery of losses from fraud;
2. A member of the public received a notification, forwarded by a fraudulent bank email, claiming that his/her fund transfer was intercepted. The notification was purportedly sent from the public enquiry service of the HKMA; 
3. A bogus HKMA advertisement was disseminated on social media, claiming that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and various financial institutions can offer interest-free emergency loans; and
4. A fraudster impersonating customer service staff of an instant messaging application called a member of the public, claiming that he/she had activated an insurance service, and the call could be referred to the relevant financial institution if he/she wanted to cancel the "service". The call was eventually transferred to a fraudster posing as an employee of the HKMA, who requested a fee in order to cancel the "service".

 
     The HKMA wishes to reiterate that we will not contact individual members of the public regarding personal financial matters. Members of the public are advised to pay attention to information about fraudulent websites, phishing e-mails or similar scams disseminated by banks. Relevant press releases issued by banks are also available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA has reported the cases to the Hong Kong Police Force. Members of the public who suspect that they have become victims of fraudulent acts should contact the Commercial and Technology Crime Hotline of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012 or make a report via the e-Report Centre for further action and investigation by the police.