Hong Kong Police Arrest 61 in Crackdown on Rising Phone Scams

Hong Kong police have arrested 61 people in a crackdown on phone scams, as cases of such fraud surged 46% in the first five months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. The suspects, aged between 17 and 82, were taken into custody this month during an operation code-named 'Pebblepace.' The operation targeted 54 phone scam cases involving losses of more than HK$31 million (US$3.95 million). Many of the scams used the 'guess who I am' tactic, where callers pretend to be a friend or relative in need of urgent financial help. The suspects are accused of conspiracy to defraud. Phone scams have become a growing problem in Hong Kong, with fraudsters often targeting elderly or vulnerable people. Police have urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited calls asking for money or personal information. They advise verifying the caller's identity before making any payment. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities expect to make further arrests.