HKICL warns fake FPS "Buyer Online Protection" sites fpshktk.sbs and tknewfps.cc
Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited said on 30 October 2026 that fpshktk.sbs and tknewfps.cc, posing as a “Buyer Online Protection” service for FPS payments, are fraudulent and not affiliated with it.
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Source: hkma.gov.hk · published
What happened
On 30 October 2026 Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL), the operator of Hong Kong's Faster Payment System (FPS), issued a notice, republished by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) as a scam alert, about two fraudulent websites that purport to come from HKICL: fpshktk.sbs and tknewfps.cc. According to HKICL, the sites present themselves as a “Buyer Online Protection” service. They claim to offer refunds to buyers, reporting of unauthorised online transactions and support for online purchases paid for over FPS. HKICL states that the sites have no affiliation with HKICL or any of its businesses.
How the scam works
HKICL says the sites do more than advertise a service. They trick visitors into entering their bank name, bank account number and account holder name in order to “top up” and “withdraw” money from a virtual wallet on the platform. Visitors are then directed to a fraudster who impersonates customer-service staff. The pitch is aimed at people who have just paid for something online and are worried about a problem with the purchase, which makes a promise of protection or a refund attractive. Handing over account details to such a site, or moving money into its “wallet”, hands control to the operators rather than protecting anything.
HKICL points out that it does not provide FPS services directly to individual members of the public and does not usually contact individuals proactively, so a site or a caller claiming to protect your FPS payments on its behalf does not fit how the clearing house works. It lists its genuine websites as www.hkicl.com.hk and fps.hkicl.com.hk. Anyone who receives a suspicious communication purportedly from HKICL can call its general line, 2533 1111, to check, and anyone who suspects they have been defrauded is urged to report promptly to the Police.
Source
Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Scam Alert “HKICL alerts public of fraudulent websites”, notice by Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited dated 30 October 2026.
Red flags
- A site called “Buyer Online Protection” that claims to refund or protect FPS payments, run by an address that is not hkicl.com.hk.
- Unusual website endings such as .sbs or .cc (fpshktk.sbs, tknewfps.cc).
- A request for your bank name, account number and account holder name to “top up” or “withdraw” from a virtual wallet.
- A “customer service” contact who appears after you visit the site and steers you to move money.
- An unsolicited approach claiming to come from the clearing house, which says it does not usually contact individuals proactively.
If you were targeted
- 1Do not visit fpshktk.sbs or tknewfps.cc, and do not enter bank details or top up any “virtual wallet” there.
- 2Use only www.hkicl.com.hk and fps.hkicl.com.hk, typing the address yourself.
- 3To check a communication that claims to be from HKICL, call its general line on 2533 1111.
- 4If you entered details or sent money, contact your bank straight away and report to the Hong Kong Police.
- 5For a problem with an online purchase, deal with the seller, your bank or the platform you paid through, not a site found by link.