Title: Macao Universities Warn Students and Parents of Telephone Scams Involving Government Impersonation

Major Alert for Tertiary Students and Parents in Macao

The Community Policing and Public Relations Division of the Judiciary Police issued a special notice to tertiary students from the Mainland studying in Macao and their parents, addressing the ongoing issue of telephone scams involving fraudsters impersonating staff from Macao government departments, Mainland China’s Police, Public Prosecutions Office, or the Court.

Recurring Instances of Scam Cases

• Since the inception of these scams, many victims have been tertiary students from China studying in Macao.
• The Judiciary Police urge students from the Mainland, currently studying or attending the next academic year in Macao, to be aware if they receive phone calls claiming to be from the above departments and requesting their personal information.

Past Instances of Scams

• Victims have often been lured into transferring large sums of money due to their alleged “cashflow problems.”
• Parents are reminded to closely monitor their children while they are studying in Macao.

Reasons Behind the Sudden Money Transfer Requests and Contacting the Police

If you suspect that your child has fallen prey to a scam, it is crucial to find out the reasons behind their sudden requests for a massive money transfer and contact the police immediately.

Preventive Measures

1. Stay vigilant: Be cautious and suspicious of any unexpected phone calls requesting personal information or asking for a large sum of money to be transferred.
2. Beware of altered caller IDs: Government departments, Public Prosecutions Office, or the Court of Macao and Mainland China will never investigate a case over the phone or request members of the public to transfer money.
3. Use computer software with caution: Fraudsters can use computer software to alter caller IDs, making it appear that calls originate from government departments.
4. Protect personal information: Refrain from revealing personal information to strangers.
5. Verify information: Discuss any suspicious calls with family members, teachers, classmates, or friends, and verify information with the concerned government departments before taking any actions.
6. Stay informed: Stay informed about crime prevention messages and share them with your family and friends to help them stay alert.

Contact Information

In case of any concerns, people can contact:

1. The Anti-Scam hotline on 8800 7777.
2. The Crime Report Hotline at 993.