Hong Kong master’s student duped into Thai nightmare

[webfact]

Photo courtesy of Jelly Tse via SCMP

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 

A Hong Kong master’s student was swept into an international scam that cost her over HK$500,000 (approximately 2.2 million baht) and led her to an alarming detour to Thailand. This unprecedented case pushed Hong Kong police to seek Interpol’s help, marking the first time a victim was lured overseas.

 

The victim, identified as K, a 22 year old student from Yunnan, China, recounted how scammers impersonated mainland Chinese and Hong Kong officials, accusing her of money laundering.

 

“The sham public security official and I talked on the phone for eight hours, leaving no room for me to think,” she revealed, recalling how the fraudsters even wore official uniforms during video calls.

 

Believing her bank accounts were frozen and fearing worse repercussions, K travelled to Guangzhou to pay 500,000 yuan in “caution money.” The scammers then instructed her to flee to Thailand for safety.

The nightmare deepened when the fraudsters contacted K’s parents, claiming she had been kidnapped in Bangkok. They demanded a ransom of 10 million yuan (46.9 million baht), prompting her parents to alert Hong Kong police.

 

In a high-stakes operation, Hong Kong police worked with Interpol, Thai police, and the Chinese embassy to locate K, who had been instructed to move between hotels in Bangkok. She was found three days later, shaken but safe, reported South China Morning Post.

 

Superintendent Theodora Lee of Hong Kong’s Anti-Deception Coordination Centre warned, “Law enforcement officials will never demand bank transfers or tell you to cut off contact with your family. These are classic scam tactics.”

 

This case highlights a sharp rise in university student scams, with losses in 2024 already exceeding HK$1.42 billion, more than double the previous year. As students navigate new cities and academic pressures, scammers exploit their vulnerabilities.

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-12-14

 

 

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[Geoffggi]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

A Hong Kong master’s student was swept into an international scam that cost her over HK$500,000 (approximately 2.2 million baht) and led her to an alarming detour to Thailand.

Thailand, the HUB of Scams ................LOL

[malathione]

32 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

Thailand, the HUB of Scams ................LOL

Aseannow, the hub of people who have trouble comprehending what they read. Or, perhaps, are unable to read?

[Briggsy]

As China has an authoritarian regime and questioning the police is taboo, this kind of scam works well. Quite incredible really.

 

Then again, once the scammer has instilled a complete sense of panic in the victim, anything is possible.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“The sham public security official and I talked on the phone for eight hours, leaving no room for me to think,” she revealed, recalling how the fraudsters even wore official uniforms during video calls.

Hang up the bloody phone.

If it's real they'll come collect you.

[KireB]

3 hours ago, malathione said:

Aseannow, the hub of people who have trouble comprehending what they read. Or, perhaps, are unable to read?

Are you?

[malathione]

1 minute ago, KireB said:

Are you?

Apparently to a greater degree than the poster I replied to. Not so sure about you, however.

[Tropicalevo]

36 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Hang up the bloody phone.

If it's real they'll come collect you.

 

Easy to say when we come from civilised countries.

I would do the same.

But we are talking about victims in China and in many cases Thailand where you are dragged up from an early age and told to obey.

Do not question.

Do not argue back.

Just do as you are told.

[AndreasHG]

These types of scams would be impossible if Chinese citizens had a modicum of trust in the Chinese authorities and were confident that they would follow the legal process.

 

What they tell us is that corruption and malpractice are so common in China that Chinese citizens believe without hesitations they can be targeted with entirely made up accuses, have no recourse against them, and have to bend to any extortionary request advanced by those in position of authority.

 

Xi Jimping's far-reaching anti-corruption campaign is nothing, but a purge directed against political rivals and has had no impact on the daily life of ordinary Chinese citizens.