Police arrest eight over HK$6.2m dating scam operation
Police said on Monday they arrested eight people for allegedly operating compensated dating scams involving 80 cases, totalling HK$6.2 million over the past two years. Officers said the suspects presented fake name cards on social media platforms, pretending to be lawyers and tycoons, and offered between HK$50,000 and HK$70,000 a month to become the victims' sugar daddies. Officers said 65…
Police announced the arrest of eight individuals on Monday for allegedly running a compensated dating scam operation that netted HK$6.2 million over two years, reported Monday. The suspects created fake name cards on social media, posing as lawyers and tycoons, and offered victims between HK$50,000 and HK$70,000 monthly to become their sugar daddies.
According to police, 65% of the victims were women, and more than half were service workers or office employees. The largest single case involved HK$480,000. All transactions occurred online, with victims never meeting the scammers in person. Before receiving the money, victims had to pay a "legal fee," police said. Superintendent Cheung Hau-yee advised people to verify lawyers directly, not rely on the scammers' fake name cards.
Police conducted the arrests last week in a joint operation called "Tight Net." Cheung stated that the ringleader and a core member were charged with money laundering and conspiracy to defraud, both in custody, while the others were released on bail.
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