Scammers using Tai Po fire relief efforts to prey on Hongkongers, police warn

Police have issued warnings for a second day in a row about scammers preying on grieving Hongkongers under the guise of donations and relief efforts, with aid pouring in for victims of Wednesday’s deadly inferno at a Tai Po housing estate.

Police said in an online post on Sunday that officers had noticed a fraudulent “Tai Po Wang Fuk Court victims registration form” circulating, warning residents to remain vigilant when providing their personal details.

“The force urges residents to stay vigilant, and refrain from filling out any forms mindlessly,” the force said.

“Do not provide your personal details to strangers, including your name, identity card number, bank account number, online banking details and passwords.”

The Wang Fuk Court fire swept through seven residential buildings, killing 146 people, including a firefighter, while 79 remain injured.

About 40 people are deemed to be still missing. About 100 cases have been categorised as “unresolvable” due to insufficient information or an inability to reach people who called a police hotline to report loved ones as missing.