In 2024, the financial losses attributed to online shopping scams experienced a significant increase of 87%, reaching HK$356 million (US$45 million) among Hongkongers. One notable case involved a woman who fell victim to fraudulent concert ticket sales, losing nearly HK$1 million. Law enforcement documented 11,559 instances of such fraud last year, marking a rise of 29.2% compared to 8,950 cases in 2023, with associated losses also increasing from HK$191 million.
According to Superintendent Baron Chan Shun-ching of the police's cybersecurity and technology crime bureau, the dramatic surge in losses was largely due to 38 cases where victims lost more than HK$1 million each. These incidents often revolved around purchases of high-value items such as luxury goods or transactions involving foreign currency and cryptocurrency exchanges. In contrast, 2023 saw only 16 major cases of online shopping fraud that resulted in losses exceeding HK$1 million.
Despite an overall decline in cybercrime activities, with the total number of cases decreasing by 0.6% year-on-year to 33,903 and monetary damages dropping by 6.7% to HK$5.129 billion, online shopping scams witnessed a noticeable upswing. This trend highlights the evolving nature of digital fraud tactics targeting consumers through e-commerce platforms.
Authorities have emphasized the need for public vigilance when engaging in online transactions, particularly those involving substantial sums or exclusive merchandise. They urge individuals to verify sellers' credentials thoroughly before proceeding with any payment, stressing the importance of secure transaction methods and reporting suspicious activities promptly.
While the broader landscape of cyber fraud has shown some improvement, the alarming rise in online shopping scams underscores the necessity for enhanced consumer protection measures and increased awareness campaigns to safeguard potential victims against sophisticated deception techniques employed by cybercriminals.