Hong Kong's HKICL warns fake 'Buyer Online Protection' FPS sites tk.f2g4h.cn and fps.852789.cc

What happened

In a Hong Kong government press release issued today on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) warned of two fraudulent websites purporting to be from HKICL: tk.f2g4h.cn and fps.852789.cc. According to HKICL, the sites pose as a 'Buyer Online Protection' service for transactions over the Faster Payment System (FPS), offering refunds to buyers, reporting of unauthorised online transactions and online transaction support. They also trick users into providing their bank name, bank account number and account holder's name in order to top up and withdraw money from the platforms' 'virtual wallet', and direct users to a fraudster impersonating customer service staff. HKICL says the sites have no affiliation with it, that it does not provide FPS services directly to individual members of the public or contact them proactively under usual circumstances, and that its only genuine websites are www.hkicl.com.hk and fps.hkicl.com.hk. Anyone who receives a suspicious communication claiming to be from HKICL is advised to verify it by calling HKICL's general line.

How the scam works

Impersonation schemes borrow a trusted name — a school, a police force, a bank, a well-known person or a regulator-registered firm — so that a message, a website or a phone number looks official. The real organisation is not involved and will not ask you to pay, log in or send money through a surprise link or an unlisted number. Look up the official contact details yourself and call or write there. If you have already paid or given personal information, contact your bank and report the incident to the police or your national cyber-crime service.

Source

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202611/13/P2026111300529.htm