A local middle-aged woman has fallen victim to an “Alipay” phone scam, losing 680,000 patacas, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Ho Wai Lok said during a regular press conference yesterday.
According to Ho, the victim received a call on May 15 from someone claiming to be an “Alipay customer service staff.” The caller informed her that the trial period for her “Alipay fund security insurance” was about to expire and urged her to complete the renewal procedures. The “Alipay staff” also told the victim that after the expiration, a monthly premium of 900 patacas would be charged, and the “insurance” would need to be continuously renewed for three years.
When the victim requested to cancel the “insurance,” the “Alipay staff” instructed her to download a communication app and set up a conference call. During the call, the “Alipay staff” asked the victim to make multiple transfers as part of an “authentication procedure,” assuring her that all funds would be returned after the “authentication” was completed.
At 4 p.m. that day, the conference call was abruptly disconnected and the victim lost contact with the “Alipay staff.” It was only then that she realised she had been scammed and reported a total loss of 680,000 patacas to the police on Tuesday.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Ho Wai Lok looks on during yesterday’s regular press conference. – Photo: Ada Lei
