The blitz on phone scams continued to gather momentum in various units in the Force last month. The followings were some major efforts.

HKI Region

The Regional Crime Prevention Office of Hong Kong Island (RCPO HKI) launched point-to-point publicity campaigns against phone deception by displaying banners and broadcasting messages at publicity sites, using a police coach in late August. It also kicked off an Anti-Deception Tongue Twister campaign at publicity sites for participation by the public. This special drive attracted many passers-by and office workers to test their skills. Through this tongue twister drive, they got crime prevention messages and bore them in mind.

KW Region

The RCPO of Kowloon West (KW), in co-operation with Yau Tsim Mong District Fight Crime Committee, produced an anti-phone scam promotion video in early August.

Reminding the public not to disclose to any strangers any personal data or data of family members, particularly passwords of bank accounts, the video was broadcast on various platforms, including Police Public Page and Police YouTube Channel, beginning on September 5.

Moreover, officers from the crime prevention units in KW also explained the new trends of phone scam on various occasions in a bid to bring the related messages to as many sectors as possible.

LTNDIV

The Vice-chairperson of Islands District Council, Ms Chau Chuen-heung, District Councillor, Mr Chau Ho-ding, and volunteers from the Tung Chung Safe and Healthy City joined Lantau North Division (LTNDIV) Divisional Commander Chan Chi-ho, in mounting an Anti-telephone Deception Campaign and distributing fliers to the public on August 27. Mr Chan thanked all those taking part in the publicity drive and stressed that education and prevention are vital for combating telephone deception.

TMDIST

Tuen Mun District Councillor, Mr Lam Chung-hoi, earlier joined Tuen Mun District (TMDIST) Deputy District Commander Ko Kim-fung in reminding the public to remain alert to crimes, especially phone scam. They headed for the Tsing Ho Square in Tuen Mun to distribute anti-crime fliers.

Also taking part in this publicity drive were officers from Police Community Relations Office (PCRO) of TMDIST, RCPO of New Territories North (NTN) and "Smart e-power" members from TMDIST Senior Police Call (SPC). The event aimed at familiarising the public with perpetrators' modus operandi, phone scam, naked chat blackmail, online auction scam, email scam and crimes involving social media.

In another effort on August 12, TMDIST brought the battle against phone scam to villages when officers from PCRO TMDIST, RCPO NTN and Tuen Mun Division, members of TMDIST Junior Police Call and SPC and Tuen Mun District Council members headed for Tuen Tsz Wai, Tsing Chuen Wai and Nai Wai to hand out fliers to villagers. The party also called on the villagers to watch out for strangers and not to disclose personal data, such as bank account numbers and passwords.