The SUN HK : ‘Be smart’ and avoid scams, police tell domestic workers

About 200 newly arrived FDWs took part in the anti-scam seminar

Of about 42,000 crimes recorded in Hong Kong in the first half of the year, more than 40% were deception cases, and the number keeps rising so that there are already 50% more such cases now than in the same period last year.

These grim statistics were revealed by the Regional Police Commander of New Territories South, Mak Chin-ho Terence, when he spoke before some 200 newly-arrived foreign domestic workers who were given a briefing on detecting scams on Sunday, Nov. 13.

PINDUTIN DITO!

Mak said some of these cases had led to tragic consequences for the victims, underscoring the need to educate the public more about deception cases, and how they can be avoided.

He also warned of the dire consequences for people who get involved with scammers, like a local man who was jailed for 28 months recently for allowing his bank account to be used for laundering money earned from these illicit activities.

Police Cdr Terence Mak says everyone must help prevent scams and other crimes

Mak took the chance to praise Indonesian domestic helper, Siti, whose quick thinking foiled the attempt by fraudsters to trick her elderly employer into paying $70,000 saying she needed to pay them money to secure the release of her son who had been arrested.

Siti stopped her employer from talking with the scammer and called the woman’s son immediately to confirm her suspicion that the call was a hoax.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Indonesia’s acting consul general Slamet Nugroho who was at the gathering, presented Siti with a letter of appreciation and said her act served as a reminder that everyone in society has a role to play in preventing similar crimes.

Siti with Indonesian Acting CG Slamet Nugroho

Representing the Philippine consulate was assistant labor attaché Angelica Sunga who said that the activity benefited not only FDWs but everyone in Hong Kong as they could all fall prey to scammers.

Mak presented the two diplomats with certificates of appreciations, as well as the representatives of two employment agency groups responsible for bringing the domestic workers to the event.

Mak with Philippine Asst Labor Attache Angelica Sunga

Thomas Chan, president of the Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies, ensured that new hires from the Philippines took part in the briefing, while Ringo Wong of Asosiasi Perusahaan Penempatan Tenaga Kerja Terampil arranged the attendance of the Indonesian helpers.

The participants were later shown the latest police equipment, including a device that help officers track people in or under water, even in the dark, as well as combat and traffic management gear.

BASAHIN ANG DETALYE

Some light moments ensued when the police mascot called “Sir Bear” joined the participants and some police officers in picture taking.

Some of the goodies given to participants

Rounding up the activities were two short seminars on detecting and avoiding scams held separately for the Indonesians (in Cantonese and Bahasa) and the Filipinos (in English) held by officers of the Regional Command Police Office.

All attendees were each given a certificate of attendance and some souvenirs, as well as meal packs from Jollibee before they headed home.