WSD urges public to be alert to fraudulent SMS messages
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (January 7) alerted the public to fraudulent SMS messages purportedly issued by the department.
The WSD recently received enquiries from members of the public concerning SMS messages purportedly issued by the department. These messages requested recipients to settle outstanding payments and click the following links, which do not belong to any of the WSD website addresses. Such fraudulent SMS messages have been on the rise recently and the department has reported the case to the Police. The fraudulent links appear as such:
The WSD clarified that it did not send the SMS messages in question, and will not direct customers to other websites with hyperlinks embedded in an SMS message. The WSD reminded that members of the public who have registered for the WSD's electronic services account and e-billing service must complete verification on the WSD website (www.wsd.gov.hk) before they can view their e-bills and obtain the Faster Payment System QR code on the bill for making payments. The department is registered in the SMS Sender Registration Scheme by the Office of the Communications Authority. All SMS messages issued by the department will include the prefix "#" in the SMS Sender ID for easy identification by the public.
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites concerned or other suspected websites should contact the Police. For enquiries, please call the WSD's customer services hotline at 2824 5000.
The Water Supplies Department, Photo source: reference image
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
Two incoming passengers were sentenced to four months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,200, andthree months' imprisonment, respectively by the courts today (January 8) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old incoming female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on August 31, 2025, and seized 10 880 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $44,000 and a duty potential of about $35,000 from her personal baggage. She was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,200 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 39-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on January 6. About 8 080 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $36,000 and a duty potential of about $27,000 were seized from the inner pockets of his jacket and his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.
Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
