Retired Hong Kong woman loses HK$2.9 million in online romance, fake app scam
Por Danny Mok — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Crime in Hong Kong Hong Kong Law and Crime Retired Hong Kong woman loses HK$2.9 million in online romance, fake app scam
Case among at least 18 online romance scams reported in past week, with total losses nearing HK$7.8 million, according to police
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Danny Mok Published: 8:40pm, 29 Sep 2026
A retired woman in Hong Kong lost nearly HK$2.9 million (US$369,670) in a romance scam after a fraudster posing as a power company employee won her trust and lured her into a bogus investment scheme.
Police said the case was among at least 18 online romance scams reported in the past week, with total losses nearing HK$7.8 million, according to the force’s CyberDefender social media page.
The 71-year-old retiree met a man on Facebook who claimed to work for a power company.
The pair gradually developed an online romantic relationship, despite never meeting in person.
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