Hong Kong Monetary Authority warns of two fake HKICL websites posing as FPS buyer protection services

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published a warning from Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited about two fraudulent websites impersonating HKICL and presenting themselves as “Buyer Online Protection” services for Faster Payment System transactions. The sites falsely offer buyer refunds, reporting of unauthorised online transactions and transaction support, and are designed to obtain users’ personal identification information and bank account details. According to the warning, the websites ask users to provide a personal document number, an identification photo and a phone number for purported real-name verification tied to a cash reward. They also seek bank name, bank account holder number and bank account holder name to top up and withdraw money from a virtual wallet through FPS, and direct users to a fraudster posing as customer service staff. HKICL said the websites have no affiliation with HKICL or its business, and noted that it does not directly provide FPS services to individual members of the public or proactively contact them under usual circumstances. People who receive suspicious communications purporting to be from HKICL should use official channels to verify them, and suspected victims should report the matter to police.