Phishing Scam Victimizes Experienced Investor
A Hong Kong woman, despite her decade-long experience in virtual asset investments, has suffered a staggering loss exceeding 4 million HKD due to a sophisticated phishing scam. The incident unfolded when she attempted to secure a discount from a cryptocurrency platform and, finding no immediate response from the official customer service, resorted to seeking help via Telegram.
Authorities’ Warning
Authorities have since cautioned the public to communicate only through verified channels, avoid clicking on unfamiliar links, and never share sensitive information such as passwords or verification codes.
How the Scam Unfolded
The woman, convinced she was interacting with a legitimate customer support representative, reached out to an account that seemed credible on Telegram. The impersonator quickly responded with an offer of assistance and sent her a concealed link to a fraudulent site. Trusting the process, she submitted personal details, including her account number and transaction password.
When she returned to her actual virtual asset account, she was horrified to find that a portion of her investments had been siphoned away without her consent.
Desperate Measures
Desperate to recover her funds, she sought help from yet another apparent customer service account on Telegram. Regrettably, she was caught in a further trap; an individual claimed they could help her retrieve her lost cryptocurrency and directed her to another fraudulent website, where she inadvertently provided her personal information yet again.
This led to the total transfer of her remaining virtual assets, culminating in a total real loss of over 4 million HKD. Law enforcement has reiterated the importance of vigilance when it comes to protecting one’s assets online.
