The Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement yesterday that residents have reported recently a raft of recorded voicemail scams, telling them that they are close contacts of a COVID-19 patient in Hong Kong.
According to the statement, all the receivers of the phone calls have not been to Hong Kong recently, and the phone number does not belong to the bureau. The statement pointed out that Hong Kong health authorities have also confirmed that they have never contacted Macau residents in a Cantonese voicemail about being a close contact.
The statement said that even though the bureau does contact Macau residents via phone calls about being a close contact of a COVID-19 patient, it does not do so through a voice recording. The statement pointed out that the bureau has already reported the case to the Judiciary Police, urging residents not to fall for such scams.
The statement said that residents should always stay vigilant when receiving phone calls from strangers, adding that scammers can easily disguise their identity or use fake phone numbers. The statement also urged residents not to reveal personal information to strangers. If residents come across any suspicious phone calls, they should report the case to 8800 7777 or the hotline 993.
