On October 15, Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang shared a bizarre encounter on social media. A scammer called claiming to be an officer from the Security Bureau, alleging that Tang was suspected of violating mainland Chinese law and ordering him to report to the 10th floor of the Central Government Offices for investigation. Tang immediately questioned which unit the caller belonged to and bluntly told the fraudster that he was already sitting on the 10th floor, telling the scammer to simply walk over and find him.
This impersonation of law enforcement is a well-worn tactic across Hong Kong, Macau, and Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. The script follows a familiar pattern: intimidating victims with claims of cross-border crimes or legal trouble in mainland China, harvesting personal credentials, and eventually coercing them into wiring funds to so-called safe accounts. It remains one of the primary operational models deployed by scam syndicates.
Tang reminded the public that the Security Bureau never makes phone calls demanding payments from citizens, nor does it summon individuals to its offices over the phone. Anyone receiving suspicious calls claiming to represent authorities should stay calm and verify the source carefully.
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