Recovery Scam in Hong Kong: Fraudsters Impersonate ADCC Officers

Hong Kong police have issued a warning about scammers impersonating officers from the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) to trick victims of previous fraud cases into losing more money.

According to police, fraudsters are contacting victims via WhatsApp, using stolen personal details such as full names and Hong Kong identity card numbers to appear credible. They claim victims’ lost funds have been “recovered” and pressure them to act quickly through a designated “channel for fund recovery.” Victims are told that failure to respond will be treated as forfeiting their claim.

To reinforce the deception, scammers even use the ADCC’s official slogan, “One battle, Scam zero.” Once victims engage, they are asked for sensitive information such as bank account details, online banking passwords, or are instructed to transfer money, leading to further losses.

According to the police, in one case, a victim was contacted by someone posing as an “ADCC receptionist” on WhatsApp, who claimed funds had been recovered through a “joint operation with mainland police”. The fraudster demanded immediate action. The victim grew suspicious, hung up, and verified the claim through the official Anti-Scam hotline, successfully avoiding the fraud.

Hong Kong Police stressed that:

• ADCC officers never request money transfers or online banking details.
• WhatsApp and social media are not used for complaints or refunds.
• There is no ADCC “receptionist” role.
• Official contact is only made through fraud alerts or in-person meetings at police stations.

Authorities remind the public that scammers may illegally obtain personal data, so even accurate details do not prove authenticity. Anyone receiving suspicious messages claiming to be from ADCC should verify directly with the police before taking any action.

BrokersView Reminds You

Never trust offers to recover fraud losses. Recovery scams with various tactics are widespread, and regulators, including New Zealand’s FMA, Canada’s CIRO, and UK consumer watchdog Which?, have issued fresh warnings.