Crime Alert

The following are the latest technology crime alert:-

1) Online Games Theft (Theft of virtual Property)

2) Theft of Corporate Information

3) Online Sweepstake and Lottery Fraud

4) Hong Kong Mark Six Fraud

1) Online Games Theft (Theft of virtual Property)

In Hong Kong, the popularity of online PC games has increased tremendously especially amongst youngsters over recent years. Many online PC games offer extensive chat features give such games a social aspect missing from offline activities, and the collaborative/competitive nature of working with or against other players can make it hard to take a break. Many of the games offer virtual weapons which can be purchased by players. The higher level you attained in the game with your virtual weapon, the more monetary value your weapon is worth.

Recently, there have been several complaints regarding virtual weapons being stolen from online game players' account. Some complaints also refer to online gaming accounts being misused thus accumulating large sums to the victims' monthly bills. From the Police's enquiry, there are several ways in which the culprits could have stolen the virtual weapons or misuse the accounts:-

• Social Engineering - victims could have revealed their user ID or passwords to their online game partners or even to close friends thus allowing their accounts to be abused by the culprits
• Plug-ins - Some victims revealed that they have downloaded plug-in programs for online games so that the game can be set at "auto play" mode. These plug-ins are often downloaded from unknown sources and some may contain hacking program such as Trojan Horse.

Safety Tips

• Social Password control
• Never download software from unknown sources

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2) Theft of Corporate Information

The advance of technology has created a paperless environment in most offices with most of the corporate information such as staff details, accounting information, confidential projects etc. stored in the companies computer systems. Recently, there have been complaints from employers that their ex-employees have taken corporate when they left the company. There have also been cases where ex-employees have hacked into the companies' computer systems to look at the boss's e-mails. To prevent this from happening, implementing a set of information security policy is essential.

Safety Tips

• Upgrade anti-virus protection at least every two weeks
• Classify all essential information
• Upgrade all operating systems and applications files frequently, using the security patches provided by the developers
• Back up all data files regularly and store the backup files in a secure location off-site
• Provide security training for all personnel who use workstations or deal with sensitive paper files
• Shred all sensitive paper documents (anything containing payroll, personnel, financial or corporate data) before recycling or disposing

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3) Online Sweepstake, Lottery Fraud

From time to time, you might receive e-mails telling you that you have won a grand prize and in order to claim the prize, you have to pay a fee. Of course, this is all part of a scam. It is most likely that after you pay the fee, you will never hear from the scammer again. There are also fraudulent lottery websites charging people fees to be members offering them "sure win" tips for betting on various lottery or sweepstake games and these are scammers too. After a certain period, the website will disappear.

Safety Tips

• "Sure Win" tips on betting do not exist. It's a common scam for a company to suggest that your chances will be better if you make a purchase.
• Never pay to play. Fraudulent companies will require you to buy something or pay a fee in order to win or claim a prize.
• Be cautious about emails for contests and sweepstakes. Many unsolicited emails are fraudulent.
• Guard your credit card and bank account numbers.
• Watch out for imposters. Some con artists use company names that are identical or very similar to well-known, legitimate operators such as the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Tell them that you!|ll get back to them and contact the real companies to ask if there is any connection.
• Get all the details. Legitimate sweepstakes companies will tell you exactly how the contest works, including the odds of winning, the value of the prizes, the date that the contest ends, and how you can find out who won.

4) Mark Six Lottery Fraud

The Hong Kong Jockey Club have recently discovered that the following websites have been charging large sums of membership fees for providing the Hong Kong Mark Six lottery analysis, predicting "sure win" results. Some websites even claim that the lottery itself is controlled by technology thus controlling the result in which the said websites claim that they could provide.

Hong Kong Police appeal to members of the public to be aware of the scam. For enquiry, please call the technology crime prevention Hotline:(852)2352-9487 or e-mail to: cpu-tcd@police.gov.hk