The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued a public alert on September 9, 2026, warning residents of active fraudulent schemes targeting customers of major financial institutions in the region. The regulator identified scams involving Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited and OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, with criminals employing phishing instant messages, fraudulent websites, and spoofed internet banking login screens to compromise customer accounts.
- Affected Banks: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
- Scam Types: Phishing instant messages, fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens
- Alert Date: September 9, 2026
- Reporting Contact: Hong Kong Police Force Crime Wing Information Centre at 2860 5012
The HKMA emphasized that legitimate banks will never send unsolicited text messages or emails containing hyperlinks directing customers to complete transactions. Financial institutions also do not request sensitive credentials through these channels, including login passwords or One-Time Passwords via SMS, email, or embedded links.
Customers who have already disclosed personal information or executed financial transactions through these fraudulent schemes should immediately contact their respective bank using contact details from official press releases published on the HKMA website. Affected individuals should also report the incident to the Hong Kong Police Force Crime Wing Information Centre.
The HKMA serves as Hong Kong’s central banking institution and financial regulator, responsible for maintaining monetary and banking system stability across the territory.
