Hong Kong’s Joint Financial Intelligence Unit Warns Public of Fraudulent “Stop Order” Scam
August 7, 2023
JFIU Issues Warning Against “Stop Order” Scam
The Hong Kong Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU) has issued a warning to the public regarding a fraudulent “stop order” scam. In this scam, individuals are being asked to pay a fee to obtain a certificate proving the legitimacy of a remittance they have made. Important: The JFIU emphasizes that no such order has been issued by them or any similar order demanding payment for effecting any financial transaction.
Do not Share Personal Information
Genuine law enforcement officers will never ask individuals to settle fees or provide online banking account numbers or passwords for investigation purposes. Remember that personal information can be easily obtained through open access, security loopholes, and even illegal sources. To avoid falling victim to such scams:
- Do not disclose personal information (HKID number, address, online banking accounts, and PIN codes) to strangers.
- Verify the identity of the contact by calling the relevant organization directly (use an independent source like a phone book or online search).
- Do not click on unknown hyperlinks or input any information.
FIIB’s Anti-Money Laundering Initiative: Project AccFencers
In related news, the Financial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (FIIB) has announced “Project AccFencers,” an anti-money laundering program aimed at rallying the efforts of all sectors and the public to combat money laundering and safeguard Hong Kong’s reputation as an international financial center.
From August 7 to 25, the FIIB will be releasing promotional materials and conducting seminars and workshops to educate the public on anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism.
Recent Antimoney Laundering Operations
Recent JFIB and law enforcement agency operations have led to the arrest of numerous individuals involved in money laundering schemes. For instance:
- Operation WISEWORD (January-February 2023): Resulted in the arrest of 633 persons for money laundering and related offenses, with suspected crime proceeds totaling over HKD 7.8 billion.
The FIIB urges the public to remain vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities to the authorities.