How did scammers deceive a Hong Kong official? It seems there’s more to the story.
Scammers tricked a council member of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions out of $5,000 USD. The amount might seem minor, but what stands out is how well-prepared the criminals were. They appeared to know their victim inside out, and the details of the scam raise suspicions: could the victim be withholding information? There’s reason to believe this wasn’t just fraud but might also involve blackmail.
And at the center of it all? Modern technology — artificial intelligence.
How did it happen?
On November 26, Cheng Wong received a call. The voice on the line introduced itself as Chau Siu-chung, a legislator responsible for trade union affairs. Interestingly, Cheng Wong had the real number of Chau, but the call came from a different phone. Despite this mismatch, the voice sounded so convincing that he believed it.
After the initial call, the scammer continued communication via WhatsApp using yet another number. He claimed he urgently needed money and asked for help, arranging a meeting the following day near the Parliament building.
The victim had time to think things through, but on November 27, the scammer called again, urging an immediate bank transfer. In return, he promised to pay back the amount in cash at the meeting. After transferring the money, Cheng Wong went to the meeting point, but the scammer never showed up.
Realizing he had been scammed, the official reported the incident to the police.
“I’ve known this person for many years and never expected he could fall victim to such a scam,” commented Cheng Wong on the situation.
What’s interesting?
The scammers skillfully mimicked the legislator’s voice using AI, which played a crucial role in deceiving the victim. They also researched the Parliament's schedule and set the meeting just before a session, adding credibility to their act.
However, there were several red flags that hinted at fraud:
The use of an unfamiliar number for the initial call and a different number for WhatsApp.
The request to transfer money before meeting in person.
The meeting location — on a street near Parliament, not a public or official space.
Despite these warning signs, the victim overlooked them.
Unanswered questions
Why was this person specifically targeted? How did the scammers convince him to send the money? While we don’t know all the details, it’s likely that the criminals played on basic human instincts: fear or greed. Their goal was to destabilize the victim and force them to act impulsively.
The fact that Cheng Wong reported the incident to the police suggests blackmail was unlikely, but questions remain.
Interestingly, a similar case in February rocked Hong Kong. A financial employee lost HK$200 million (around $25.5 million USD) after scammers used AI to impersonate company executives during an online meeting.
Conclusion
AI is proving to be not just a tool for progress but also a powerful weapon in the hands of criminals. Stay vigilant, verify any unusual requests, and don’t make impulsive decisions — especially when it comes to money.
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