Scammer tactics decoded: Why "dream jobs" and "guaranteed returns" are usually fake
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Scams are everywhere. In 2024 alone, Hong Kong recorded 44,480 scam cases¹. Everyone wants financial freedom, and scammers exploit this mindset to tailor "get-rich-quick dreams" just for you. From job hunting to investing, remember: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Just when you think you’ve struck gold, it is often the beginning of a nightmare.
Why do these scams keep working? Because they prey on human weaknesses: greed and anxiety.
1. Job Scams: Pay Before You Work
Scammers target students or those looking for side hustles with "click farming" (boosting sales volume) commissions. They claim "no experience needed" and "earn HKD 800 a day just by tapping your phone." But the devil is in the details: legitimate companies never ask for "security deposits" or "advance payments." Once you pay, they vanish.
2. Investment Scams: From "Fattening" to "Slaughtering"
Scammers use fake apps or simulators. Initially, they let you withdraw small amounts to build trust (fattening the pig). When you invest your life savings, they refuse withdrawals citing "system maintenance" or "margin fees" (slaughtering). Remember, real investments have ups and downs. Any system claiming "guaranteed wins" is a lie.
3. Tech Smokescreens: Using Jargon You Don't Understand
NFTs, AI quantitative trading, emerging assets... Scammers love using buzzwords you’ve heard of but don't fully understand to create information asymmetry. If you don't understand how a product works, do not invest in it.
The Golden Rule for Protecting Your Wallet
Before investing, always check the license on the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) website. If the platform isn't listed, or if they ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account, stop immediately.
💡 Anti-Scam Pro Tip: Protecting Your Principal Makes You a Winner
There is no such thing as a free lunch, and there is no guaranteed winning formula for investing. When facing the temptation of "quick money," remember: "High returns always come with high risks."
The first step in wealth management is protecting your principal, not chasing massive profits. Next time you see a "must-earn" opportunity, ask yourself: "If it's so profitable, why are they sharing it with me?"
If in doubt, call the ZA Bank Anti-Scam Hotline at 3665 3660 or the Police "Anti-Scam Helpline" at 18222 anytime.
1. Figures from the Hong Kong Police Force.