InvestSmart
BE VIGILENT OF
INVESTMENT SCAMS
Please take great care when investing, especially if you are asked to conduct cash, e-payment, virtual asset (such as crypto) or other transactions via online platforms. Scammers may be very convincing in situations when they use social media, messaging apps, websites, fake identity, and fraudulent platforms, or even a combination of them, to trick investors. To help investors recognise scam signs, we highlight some common red flags and simple ways to verify before you invest.
On the Lookout for Scam Red Flags
Requests to transfer funds to personal or unfamiliar accounts for investments
SFC licensees do not receive client funds through personal accounts. Investors should only transfer funds to licensed firms’ company accounts.
What to do
Requests for screencaps of transfer/ trading records
Used to harvest account details, or report “results” to the gang for commission.
What to do
Requests for personal information, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTP) via messages or
emails
Enables immediate unauthorised transfers or account takeover.
What to do
Pressure to act quickly for “limited-time” offers
Creates urgency so victims skip verification and transfer funds before checking properly.
What to do
Claims of guaranteed or unusually high returns with little risk
Legitimate investments always involve risk. “Guaranteed high returns” is a classic lure used to get victims to transfer money quickly.
What to do
Requests to trade via unlicensed or suspicious platforms / apps
Unlicensed platforms are not regulated and investors have no protection. They may also be used to steal money or personal data, leaving investors to suffer total losses.
What to do
Approaches of “authority figures” claiming they can help recover financial
losses from
investments
Scammers often pose as officials, regulators, lawyers or recovery agents, using “loss recovery” claims as a secondary scam for more fees, deposits or personal details.
What to do
A No-No for SFC licensees to
receive client funds through their personal accounts. Only transferring funds to
licensed firms' corporate bank accounts should be the cardinal rule for
investors.
On the Lookout for
Scam Red Flags
Scam Red Flags
Requests to transfer funds to personal or unfamiliar accounts for investments
SFC licensees do not receive client funds through personal accounts. Investors should only
transfer funds
to licensed firms’ company accounts.
What to do
Requests for screencaps of transfer / trading records
Used to harvest account details, or report “results” to the gang for commission.
What to do
Requests for personal information, passwords, or one-time password (OTP) via messages
or emails
Enables immediate unauthorised transfers or account takeover.
What to do
Pressure to act quickly for “limited-time” offers
Creates urgency so victims skip verification and transfer funds before checking properly.
What to do
Claims of guaranteed or unusually high returns with little risk
Legitimate investments always involve risk. “Guaranteed high returns” is a
classic lure used
to get victims to transfer money quickly.
What to do
Requests to trade via unlicensed or suspicious platforms / apps
Unlicensed platforms are not regulated and investors have no protection. They may also be
used to steal
money or personal data, leaving investors to suffer total losses.
What to do
Approaches of “authority figures” claiming they can help recover financial
losses from
investments
Scammers often pose as officials, regulators, lawyers or recovery agents, using “loss
recovery” claims as a secondary scam for more fees, deposits or personal details.
What to do
A No-No for SFC licensees to
receive client funds through their personal accounts. Only transferring funds to
licensed firms' corporate bank accounts should be the cardinal rule for
investors.
PAUSE, VERIFY and THINK
Before Investing
Before Investing
Always check if a firm or person is properly licensed
Search by company name or an individual's name to verify licence status
Note some entities’ names are similar, so also check the firm’s website or
other official
channels for more information
Tips: Do not rely on contact details provided by the person who approached you
Tips: Also check the SFC Alert List for
unlicensed entities
and suspicious websites
Tips before making any transfer or investment decisions
Never transfer money, crypto, or personal data to unfamiliar parties; always verify
Never click on links to input bank account or payment details unless verified
Only invest funds through official bank accounts of licensed firms
Take time to research. Do not trust others too easily or make impulsive decisions
If in doubt, consult a licensed firm or seek independent professional advice
OFFICIAL
VERIFICATION TOOLS
VERIFICATION TOOLS
Only use official verification tools for scam detection / prevention
Check if a firm or person is licensed
Check phone numbers, websites, emails,
trading
platforms for scam risks
Scameter / Scameter+
mobile app
Hong Kong Police Force Anti-Scam Helpline
18222
Event Highlights
Anti-Scam
Investor Education Campaign
Date
25 Sep - 31 Oct
Venue
2 Café Central Branch, 84-86 Des Voeux Road Central (next to Central Market)
As social media has become an integral part of daily
life, online
scams have become a prevalent concern. To educate the public, in addition to its online publicity,
the SFC
has, for the first time, tied its anti-scam education campaign to “Cha Chaan Teng”, a
daily-life
setting and unique cultural heritage of Hong Kong.
“Cha Chaan Teng”, a stomping ground for
patrons
from all walks of life, provides an ideal backdrop for the SFC to spread the importance of verifying
investments and
staying vigilant against scams to the public by word of mouth.
Through these educational efforts, everyone is
encouraged to stay
alert and remain cautious when making investment decisions.
SFC’s ANTI-SCAM
CAMPAIGN
The SFC’s “Don’t be Sucker” anti-scam campaign raises awareness of common
investment
scams through the character “Shui Yu” and encourages the public to pause and think
before taking
the plunge. The campaign highlights red flags and shares practical tips on how investors can protect
themselves from falling prey to scams.
Last update: 25 Sep 2026