KCDO receives report of suspected hacking into instant messaging application account of Sub-district Care Team
The Kowloon City District Office (KCDO) yesterday evening (February 4) received a report of suspected hacking into the instant messaging application account of a Sub-district Care Team which may have resulted in the leakage of personal data of service users.
The operating organisation of the Sheung Lok Sub-district Care Team (i.e. Homantin Residents Association) reported to the KCDO yesterday evening that the instant messaging application account of Sheung Lok Sub-district Care Team was suspected to have been hacked. The incident may have resulted in the leakage of personal data, including names, telephone numbers, and addresses, of 23 service users, among whom seven individuals' full or partial Hong Kong Identity Card numbers may have been exposed.
Regarding this incident, apart from informing affected service users immediately and reminding them to be vigilant, the operating organisation has also reported to the Police and notified the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. The operating organisation is reviewing and will further strengthen its security measures. If anyone suspects a person impersonating a member of the Sheung Lok Sub-district Care Team, they may contact the Sheung Lok Sub-district Care Team, the KCDO or call 182 111 to verify the person's identity. In case of suspicious circumstances, please call the 24-hour Anti-Scam Helpline 18222.
The KCDO apologises to the persons affected for any inconvenience caused and has set up a hotline (2712 9182) for enquiries. Members of the public may also visit the Care Teams' dedicated webpage (www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/district_services_community_care_teams/fraud_prevention.htm) to learn about the anti-fraud measures. Care Teams will never ask members of the public for bank account numbers. Members and volunteers of Care Teams will wear Care Team uniforms and display Care Team member or Volunteer Certificates of Identity for identification when providing caring services. The KCDO has issued a letter to the Care Team concerned regarding the incident, requesting the Care Team for heightened vigilance and strengthened security measures and to continue to handle and keep personal data confidential strictly according to the guidelines. The Home Affairs Department has also reminded all Care Teams accordingly.
The Kowloon City District Office (KCDO), Photo source: DrJack Kwan Google
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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).
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
