HKMA Warns Public of Fraudsters Impersonating Money Safe Customer Service Representatives

Beware of scam posing as Money Safe

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has received enquiries from the public regarding fraudsterswho impersonate customer service representatives of financial institutions under the guise ofMoney Safe. These fraudstersdeceive the public into transferring funds to unlock money allegedly protected by HKMA's Money Safe.

The HKMA wishes to clarify that the aforementioned incident is fraudulent and has no connection with the HKMA. The HKMA will not contact individual members of the public or request fund transfers regarding any personal financial matters.

Money Safe is an anti-scam service launched by the HKMA and retail banks in Hong Kong for individual customers. Money Safe allows customers to lock their deposits within their own bank accounts, preventing them from being transferred out or withdrawn. When customers want to use the protected deposits, banks will conduct face-to-face anti-scam verification with the customers, guiding them to think carefully whether they have been scammed. Once the verification process is completed, customers can transfer or withdraw the deposits. Releasing Money Safe protection does not involve any payments or fees.

If in doubt, please visit the dedicated Money Safe page on the HKMA's official website at www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/smart-consumers/money-safe/ or contact relevant banks for information regarding Money Safe.

The HKMA has reported the case to the Hong Kong Police Force. Members of the public who have provided their personal information to the fraudulentwebsite or mobile application, or suspect that they have become victims of fraudulent acts should contact the Police or the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Source: AI-found images

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to six to eight months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 to $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 11) 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 three incoming Mainland male passengers, aged 43, 56 and 41, at Hong Kong International Airport on October 28 and yesterday (November 10) and seized a total of about 175 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $827,800 and a duty potential of about $581,700, from their personal baggage. The passengers were subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect 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).

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases