Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) has issued a public warning against a fraudulent website impersonating the institution to deceive users into surrendering personal and financial information. The fake site, operating under the domain refundrequesthk.cfd, falsely presents itself as a “Buyer Online Protection” service linked to HKICL and claims to offer refund processing, unauthorized transaction reporting, and online transaction support for Faster Payment System (FPS) transfers. The alert was published on September 16, 2026.
- Fraudulent Domain: refundrequesthk.cfd and variations with multiple suffix combinations
- Information Targeted: Personal document numbers, ID photos, phone numbers, bank names, account numbers, and account holder names
- Legitimate HKICL Websites: https://www.hkicl.com.hk and https://fps.hkicl.com.hk
- Verification Contact: HKICL general line at 2533 1111
The scam operates through multiple deceptive tactics. Victims are first solicited for identity verification documents and photographs under the guise of claiming cash rewards. Subsequently, fraudsters request banking credentials, including account numbers and holder names, claiming to facilitate wallet top-ups and withdrawals via FPS. The operation concludes by directing targets to a WhatsApp conversation with individuals posing as customer service representatives.
HKICL emphasized that the fraudulent website has no legitimate affiliation with the institution and does not represent any operational business line. The clearing house does not typically provide FPS services directly to individual members of the public, nor does it contact consumers proactively under normal circumstances. The authority urged the public to exercise caution regarding suspicious communications, telephone calls, or websites claiming HKICL affiliation.
Anyone receiving communications purportedly from HKICL should independently verify authenticity by calling the institution’s general line at 2533 1111. Individuals who believe they have fallen victim to fraudulent activity are advised to file reports with Hong Kong Police immediately. Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited operates as the primary clearing and settlement institution for retail payment systems in Hong Kong.
