Hong Kong sees a decline in investment scam cases in the first half of 2026, but police report that losses remain substantial. The South China Morning Post says cases drop by 15%, while losses reach HK$1.65 billion (about US$210 million). Hong Kong Free Press reports more than 2,100 investment scam cases in the same period, with losses totalling roughly HK$1.6 billion.
Police say investment scams are only a fraction of overall deception cases but account for a disproportionate share of losses. Free Press notes investment scams make up about one-tenth of the 20,613 deception cases recorded in the first half of the year, but nearly half of total losses tied to deception. Officials also warn that fraudsters often impersonate representatives of legitimate overseas firms, with some purported firms not existing or having histories of fraud in other countries, according to the South China Morning Post.
