The Ever Growing Pandemic of Scams | Macau Affairs

Posted on by Vaseline

Macau’s security forces have reported a significant increase in telephone and online scams targeting residents, which has largely contributed to the overall increase in crime in the SAR. This has led to an increased need for cooperation between police authorities, telecom operators, banks and armed forces on the mainland.

By Nelson Moura

In recent months, Macau’s security forces have made it clear that of all forms of crime, the most notable increase has been in telecommunications and cyber fraud. In the first half of this year, 188 cases of telephone fraud were reported, an increase of 29 cases compared to the same period last year, and 152 cases more than in 2019. Of these cases, almost 80 percent were committed through ‘impersonation’ . calls by government personnel,” which was the most common modus operandi.

In a high-profile case revealed earlier this year, Macau’s Judicial Police (PJ) discussed a scam prevention campaign and revealed the case of a local teenage girl who was defrauded of RMB3.5 million ($484,456) by scammers who pretending to be mainland police. officers. The fraudsters convinced her that she was involved in a money laundering case, making her think she had to pay the money to prove her innocence. Fearing for her safety, the victim hid from her family and traveled to several countries, eventually ending up in a remote area of ​​Mexico. She was later rescued following a joint operation between Chinese and Mexican authorities, INTERPOL, and her father.

Regarding cyber fraud, 408 cases were recorded, with online investment fraud, ticketing and online shopping being the most common forms of this crime. Meanwhile, 312 cases of computer fraud have been reported, including 263 cases of online payments via credit cards and 28 cases of online extortion via nude photos. While these numbers represent an increase from 2019, they showed a significant decrease from 2023.

In one case, 10 residents lost a total of MOP140,000 in an ‘online part-time job’ scam after applying for an online part-time job on a social media platform, which involved clicking ‘likes’ on certain websites. After clicking ‘Like’, victims were asked to log into their MPay accounts to withdraw the ‘commission’ they had supposedly earned. In this process, the fraudsters obtained their MPay account ID, login password and transaction password through the website, after which they withdrew all the money from their accounts.

Between September 2023 and June 2024, authorities in mainland China froze 292 bank accounts linked to 50 fraud cases in Macau.

Crime Statistics – Fraud 2024 H1

Type of fraud Total cases Increase from 2022 Increase from 2019 Main Mode Operandi
Telephone fraud 188 29 152 Imitation of calls by government employees
Cyber ​​fraud 408 59 279 Online investment fraud, ticket sales, online shopping
– Computer fraud 312 N/A N/A Concerns online payments via credit cards

Source: Justice Police

Tackle the hydra

In the first half of 2023, the PJ reported that it had prevented a total of 227 fraud cases, protecting more than 39 million MOP. Through measures such as the “urgent suspension of bank transfers”, warnings for the suspension of suspicious transactions and reporting of accounts involved in scams, the police have ensured a quick and effective response to possible fraud.

In addition, 269 suspicious accounts were reported to the banking sector, allowing alarm and freezing measures to be taken where necessary. Last year, Macau and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the fight against fraud, promote information exchange and money recovery.

Between September 2023 and June 2024, authorities in mainland China froze 292 bank accounts linked to 50 fraud cases in Macau, preventing transfers totaling 9.38 million RMB, which are gradually being returned to victims.

Recognizing the transnational and organized nature of fraud, the PJ has adapted its strategies, strengthened information-sharing mechanisms and established specialized groups for joint investigations with international authorities. In the first six months of 2024, the PJ arrested 139 people involved in criminal fraud gangs.

In addition, the PJ, in collaboration with telecom operators, set up a rapid blocking mechanism for phishing websites last year, leading to the blocking of 322 fraudulent sites in the first six months of this year. These measures reflect the PJ’s commitment to protecting the community from fraud and cybercrime, thereby strengthening financial security in Macau.

“Working with the PJ, CTM maintains close communication to provide immediate telecom support. The company provides PJ with a rapid response to suspected fraud activities, reinforcing its commitment to protecting the community” – CTM

Police have consistently emphasized that without public participation and cooperation, anti-fraud efforts would not be as effective. They urged the public to pay more attention to anti-fraud information and enhance their preventive capabilities, thereby taking responsibility for protecting their own assets.

Earlier this year, the PJ introduced a new anti-fraud program on their official WeChat account, PJ_Macao, aimed at increasing public awareness and protection against scams. The tool is designed to assess the risk level of specific phone numbers, email addresses, websites and other potentially fraudulent sources. Users can enter a phone number into the program, which uses PJ’s information to determine if the number has been associated with fraudulent activity.

In addition to risk assessment, the program allows users to report scams and increases their understanding of different types of fraud, giving them the knowledge needed to recognize potential threats.

CTM on the front lines

Macau Business contacted CTM, the SAR’s main telecom operator, about its efforts to combat the growth of phone and online scams in the city.

In response, CTM emphasized that it has stepped up its efforts to combat telecom fraud and protect its customers from scam activities. “As part of its commitment to ensuring a secure digital environment, the company has implemented a range of proactive measures. The CTM Network Management Center plays a crucial role in this initiative and consistently monitors for telecom fraud and unusual internet traffic,” the operator said. Macau Affairs.

The center has put in place effective controls to block phishing text messages, scam calls and suspicious activities on social media platforms. “Working with the PJ, CTM maintains close communication to provide immediate telecom support. The company ensures that PJ responds quickly to any suspected scam activity, reinforcing its commitment to protecting the community,” it added.

CTM has also focused on educating the public on scam prevention, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and students. In 2024 alone, CTM organized thirteen informative sessions, reaching almost 1,000 participants. These sessions are designed to equip individuals with the knowledge needed to recognize and avoid scams.

To further increase public awareness, CTM has also produced educational videos and content on scam prevention, sharing these resources across its e-channels and social media platforms.

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