Hong Kong police recorded 25 investment fraud cases linked to online romantic relationships in the week ending July 30, with reported losses close to HK$70 million, or about $9 million. The figures, drawn from local police statistics, point to a concentrated burst of scams in which personal trust was used to push victims into bogus virtual asset investments.
The largest reported case involved a 50-year-old insurance professional who allegedly lost about HK$26 million, roughly $3.3 million, after an online contact posing as a car dealer encouraged her to use a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform.
A single case made up more than a third of the weekly losses
According to the report, the woman first met the suspect online and later entered what she believed was a romantic relationship. After gaining her confidence, the person urged her to invest in virtual currencies through a platform unfamiliar to her.
The platform allegedly showed extraordinary gains, with supposed returns exceeding 800%. But when she tried to withdraw funds, the money could not be recovered. Her case alone accounted for more than one-third of the total losses reported in romance-linked investment scams during the seven-day period.
How the fraud pattern typically works
Police said the case fits a broader model seen in relationship-based crypto fraud. Scammers often begin contact through dating apps, social media platforms or messaging services, then spend time building emotional trust before introducing an investment idea.
Victims are commonly directed to websites or apps controlled by the fraudsters. These platforms may display fake profits and, in some cases, permit a small early withdrawal to appear legitimate. The deception usually becomes clear only when the victim attempts to take out a larger amount and is either blocked or told to pay extra charges described as taxes, fees or penalties.
Authorities warn against tips from new online contacts
Hong Kong police urged the public to be cautious when an investment opportunity comes from a newly formed online relationship. The warning signs highlighted by authorities include promises of guaranteed returns, unusually large profits and instructions to transfer money through an unfamiliar platform.
While the weekly romance-linked cases drew attention because of the size of the losses, they also reflect a wider fraud environment in which online contact is being used to channel victims into increasingly sophisticated schemes.
Online employment scams are also rising in Hong Kong
Police statistics cited in the report show that Hong Kong recorded 2,148 online employment scam cases between January and May 2025, a 92.1% increase from the same period a year earlier. Reported losses rose to HK$480 million from HK$260 million, an 89% jump.
Authorities logged 621 such cases in May alone. About 60% began on WhatsApp and another 22% on Telegram. Investigators said much of the increase was tied to so-called click farming schemes, in which fraudsters first pay small commissions for simple online tasks before pressuring victims to commit larger sums. Once victims try to withdraw, they are told they must pay penalties or other charges because of an alleged mistake or system problem.
What is confirmed so far
The confirmed figures from police statistics are that 25 romance-linked investment fraud cases were reported between July 24 and July 30, with combined losses nearing HK$70 million. The standout case involved alleged losses of about HK$26 million after fabricated investment returns were shown on a fake virtual asset platform.
Beyond those numbers, the main next step remains enforcement and prevention: police have publicly flagged the warning signs and linked the latest reports to broader online scam trends already affecting the city in 2025.
Source: crypto.news