Hong Kong Police have dismantled a transnational criminal syndicate based in Malaysia that was involved in a massive telecommunications fraud, swindling Hong Kong residents out of HK$61 million.
The syndicate exploited Hong Kong's real-name SIM card registration system, registering at least 300 SIM cards using forged identities. They then used these SIM cards to carry out scams across the city.
Six Malaysian men were arrested in the operation. They were found to have used sophisticated techniques to alter their own passport photos and illicitly obtain Hong Kong ID card images, allowing them to bypass the SIM card registration process.
By modifying their passports and superimposing their photos onto other people's Hong Kong ID cards, the scammers were able to register prepaid SIM cards under false identities. These SIM cards were then used to make local calls within Hong Kong without displaying the +852 international dialing code, making the calls appear more legitimate to potential victims.
Dicken Ko, a senior inspector in the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, said the criminals used computer software to alter their passport photos and illegally obtained Hong Kong ID images. This allowed them to register at least 300 SIM cards with local telecom companies, which they then used to execute their fraud schemes.
The police have charged the six Malaysian men with conspiracy to defraud and using false documents. Five other local suspects have been released on bail pending further investigation.
This case marks the first time a foreign criminal group has been found to establish operational bases in Hong Kong for phone scams. It highlights the increasing sophistication of transnational crime syndicates and the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement.
The police have traced over 400 fraud cases linked to this syndicate since April, demonstrating the scale and impact of their operations. Authorities have urged the public to be vigilant against such scams, verify the authenticity of service requests, and avoid assisting in the illicit use of SIM cards, which can lead to severe legal consequences.
馬來西亞詐騙集團使用偽造身分證登記SIM卡 欺詐香港居民6,100萬港元 11人被捕
香港警方成功瓦解一個來自馬來西亞的跨國犯罪集團,他們涉及一宗規模龐大的電訊詐騙案,騙取了香港居民6,100萬港元。
該集團善於利用香港SIM卡實名登記系統,成功登記了至少300張SIM卡,然後用來在全城進行詐騙活動。
6名馬來西亞男子被捕。他們被發現使用了複雜的技術,改動自己的護照相片,並非法獲取香港身分證影像,從而繞過SIM卡登記的嚴格程序。
通過修改護照和把自己的相片換貼在其他人的香港身分證上,詐騙分子得以註冊預付費SIM卡時使用虛假身分。隨後他們利用這些SIM卡在香港撥打電話時,不顯示 +852 國際電話區號,以此降低受害者的警覺。
網絡安全及科技罪案調查科高級督察高迪堅表示,罪犯使用電腦軟件改動護照相片,並非法獲取香港身分證影像,成功登記了最少300張SIM卡,藉此進行詐騙活動。
警方已起訴6名馬來西亞男子涉嫌串謀詐騙和使用虛假文件,他們將於下週一在東區裁判法院進行初步聆訊。另外5名涉案的本地男女則獲准保釋,需於9月底前再向警方報到。
這宗案件是首次發現外國犯罪集團在香港建立基地,從事電話詐騙活動,突顯跨國犯罪集團的日益狡猾,以及本地執法部門所面臨的持續挑戰。
警方追查到4月以來逾400宗與該集團有關的詐騙案件,反映他們的行動規模龐大和影響廣泛。
有鑑於此,警方強烈呼籲市民提高警惕,審慎核實各項服務要求的真實性,切勿協助非法使用SIM卡,以免觸犯嚴重法律後果。
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