Hong Kong privacy watchdog records 46% rise in personal data fraud inquiries

Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has recorded a 46 per cent year-on-year rise in inquiries relating to suspected personal data fraud last year, its commissioner has said, warning against scams intended to lure victims into illegal work overseas.

Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung Lai-ling said on Friday that her office received 1,158 such inquiries last year, an increase from the 793 recorded in 2023.

“To trick victims into going overseas for illegal activities would involve getting their personal data. One must be more vigilant and not give away personal information and that of your family to fraudsters,” she said.

“Once you’ve given some information, there will be ways to further scam you,” she said, adding that such data could include bank account numbers and passwords, and identity card details, among other data.

Chung also said Hongkongers’ awareness of fraudulent activities had improved, noting that not all calls to her office were requests for help from potential victims but it also saw genuine inquiries about possible scams.

The privacy commissioner also warned that scammers had a variety of methods for coaxing victims into providing personal data, such as impersonating someone they knew by hijacking instant messaging applications or creating deepfakes.