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safety Scmp World 2026-04-22

Overseas Students Targeted by Gold Scams in Fake Investigations

Scammers have reportedly tricked international students studying abroad, leading to losses of up to HK$1.5 million. The victims were lured to Hong Kong under the guise of bogus money-laundering probes, according to police warnings.


Fraudsters have duped students studying abroad out of up to HK$1.5 million (US$191,531) each by accusing them of money laundering and luring them to Hong Kong to buy gold for bogus law-enforcement investigations, prompting a police warning. At least nine victims aged between 19 and 26, who are studying in the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries, have recently fallen prey to such cross-border impersonation scams, according to Hong Kong police. β€œTheir losses ranged from HK$740,000 to...

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