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 From Hong Kong's Information Services Department
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November 29, 2009
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Anti-graft

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Alert issued on fraudsters posing as ICAC staff
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ICAC

The Independent Commission Against Corruption urges the public to beware of fraudsters who orchestrate scams and stop victims from reporting to authorities by claiming cases are under ICAC investigation.

 

The commission received more than 20 complaints in the past 12 months in which victims were defrauded of $3.6 million in total, with some swindlers claiming to be ICAC officers.

 

Victims in some cases were even duped into paying bail money for their friends said to be under ICAC probe.

 

There had been swindlers, posing as travel agencies salesmen, invited the victims to join lucky draws, or cases in which victims were conned into paying money to their internet friends for betting in some internet scams.

 

To prevent victims from reporting to authorities, fraudsters claimed the victims were among the suspects subject to ICAC investigation, or even posed as ICAC officers asking the victims to pay bail money.

 

To enhance public's vigilance, the commission has produced a video clip depicting the common operation mode employed by fraudsters. The video, in both Cantonese and Putonghua, has been uploaded on the commission's website.

 

People can call 25 266 366 to make enquiries when approached by someone who claims to be an ICAC officer.