The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has issued a public warning after receiving multiple enquiries about fraudulent documents falsely claiming to be issued by the city’s banking regulator.
The incident underscores growing concerns over financial scams targeting investors by impersonating official agencies.
In a statement, the HKMA said members of the public reported receiving forged documents alleging that an investment company’s assets had been frozen due to regulatory breaches.
The fake notices instructed clients to suspend all transactions with the company. Fraudsters posing as the investment firm further circulated additional notices, claiming clients could transfer their assets to a so-called partner institution by paying a service fee.
The HKMA confirmed that the documents are fraudulent and clarified that neither the investment company nor the partner institution referred to in the notices is regulated by the authority.
“These fraudulent acts not only mislead the public but also undermine trust in the financial system,” the HKMA said. “The public is advised to carefully verify any documents claiming to be issued by the HKMA or institutions claiming to be regulated by the HKMA.”
The regulator advised the public to check official registers maintained on its website, including the Register of Authorized Institutions and Local Representative Offices, the Register of Stored Value Facility Licensees, and the List of Approved Money Brokers.
The HKMA’s public enquiry hotline (2878 8222) is also available to assist individuals in verifying documents or regulatory status.
The authority has reported the case to the Hong Kong Police Force for further investigation. It encouraged anyone who suspects they have been targeted or victimized by such scams to contact the Police or the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Hong Kong has seen a rising number of financial scams in recent years, including those involving forged documents, phishing emails, and fraudulent calls posing as regulatory bodies or financial institutions.
The HKMA and other agencies have ramped up public awareness campaigns, warning investors to stay cautious, especially when dealing with requests for fund transfers or personal information from unfamiliar sources.
According to police data, fraud cases in Hong Kong increased by more than 20% in 2024, with scams involving financial services accounting for a growing share of reported incidents.
The HKMA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Hong Kong’s financial system while urging the public to remain alert and verify information through official channels.