In a troubling trend, Hong Kong has witnessed a significant increase in sex crimes among juveniles, with arrests reaching 396 in 2023, a staggering 71% rise from 231 in 2018, marking a 10-year high. Over half of those arrested were aged between 10 to 15 years old, with offenses including 169 for indecent assault, 86 for unlawful sexual intercourse, and 11 for rape. Alarmingly, more than 200 arrests occurred in the first half of 2024 alone, indicating a continuing crisis. Experts attribute this rise to various factors, including disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, increased social media usage, and a lack of adequate sex education. [4e135436]
The recent surge in sexual exploitation cases in Hong Kong is not limited to juveniles. On August 31, 2024, police arrested two individuals for allegedly tricking a woman into a sexual encounter under false pretenses, resulting in a significant financial fraud. The male suspect posed as a tarot card reader, while his female accomplice managed an Instagram account for fortune-telling. The victim was defrauded of HK$300,000 (approximately US$38,500) and HK$100,000 in credit card coupons for fake investments. Police discovered HK$20,000 in suspected crime proceeds during the arrests, highlighting the intersection of sexual exploitation and financial scams in the region. [7aedc515]
This alarming trend is part of a broader rise in various forms of scams in Hong Kong, including online fraud. Just days before the tarot card incident, police arrested 11 individuals linked to a major phone scam that defrauded victims of HK$61 million (US$7.8 million). This gang operated from multiple bases, impersonating customer service staff to deceive victims. [a21b123d]
The increase in deception cases is concerning, with a reported 42.6% rise in scams in 2023 compared to the previous year, leading to losses of HK$9.1 billion. Scammers have employed various tactics, including impersonating recyclers and creating fake WhatsApp login pages. To combat this, the police have developed tools like the 'Scameter' search engine and mobile app to help the public identify suspicious schemes. [51989133]
In light of these developments, lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-chong has urged students to be cautious of job listings promising high salaries with minimal experience, as online job scams have surged, particularly targeting young people. From January to March 2024, there were 553 reports of online job scams, resulting in financial losses of HK$154 million (US$19.7 million). [f17851ad]
The police have also reported a significant rise in online fraud reports, with 13,097 cases handled between January and May 2024, marking an increase of 113 cases compared to the same period in 2023. The amount lost in online scams rose by 37% to HK$2.2 billion. Notably, two separate deepfake scams using AI technology resulted in losses of HK$204 million for two UK-based multinational firms. [0f056f1e]
In addition to these criminal activities, Hong Kong's schools and NGOs are facing increasing online threats. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner reported 157 data breach notifications in 2023, with 61 cases (40%) involving schools and NGOs, a 1.5 times increase from 2022's 25 cases. In the first three quarters of 2024, 51 breaches were reported, making up one-third of 155 total incidents. A notable breach at the South China Athletic Association exposed data of 72,000 members due to inadequate security measures, with malware being installed as early as January 2022. The editorial emphasizes the urgent need for vigilance and resource allocation for data security, particularly for smaller organizations that may lack the necessary resources. [4e8f1754]
In light of these concerning trends, the editorial emphasizes the urgent need for open discussions about intimacy and healthy relationships, as well as better education on sexual offenses among youth. While current laws impose severe penalties for sexual offenses, awareness of these laws is lacking among young people. The editorial calls for a cultural shift towards fostering love and respect to address these pressing issues effectively. [4e135436]
Adding to the urgency of the situation, Hong Kong's security chief Chris Tang reported a rise in local residents trafficked to Southeast Asia for illegal work, with 12 Hongkongers still detained overseas as of December 4, 2024. A total of 23 trafficking cases were reported since Q2 2024, with 11 individuals returned to Hong Kong. In 2022, 46 residents sought government help after being trafficked, with 43 returning home. Tang warned against online job ads promising high pay for low-skill work, stating that victims often went voluntarily but were deceived into illegal labor. Families of victims have urged the government for quicker rescue efforts, citing life-threatening conditions in regions like Myanmar. [d96eb08e]