According to a statement released by the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) on Monday, there has been a recent surge in telecom and online fraud cases, with rising amounts being lost to scams. Among these, impersonation of “law enforcement officers” has become a common tactic.
The statement noted that several cases of scammers posing as “public prosecutors” have emerged in Macau recently. These fraudsters contact victims via phone or online, falsely claiming that the victims are involved in serious criminal cases. They initially request the victims’ cooperation with the purported investigation and often transfer the call to an accomplice posing as a “prosecutor” to gain the victim’s trust. Subsequently, they ask victims to engage in “online case handling,” participate in a “statement via video call,” or use “screen-sharing” to obtain personal information. They may use excuses such as “supervision,” “bail,” or “fund review” to persuade victims to transfer money to a designated “safe account.”
The statement explained that the core of these impersonation scams exploits the public’s lack of familiarity with law enforcement procedures. The Public Prosecutions Office (MP) reminded citizens that investigations, prosecutions, and trials of criminal cases follow established legal protocols. Prosecutors or other law enforcement officers would never conduct inquiries via informal channels like phone calls or social media, nor would they ever ask victims for bank account passwords, verification codes, or request transfers during an investigation.
The statement advised that if citizens receive calls from someone claiming to be from “law enforcement” asking for transfers to a “safe account” or requesting “fund reviews,” citizens should remember: never trust, never transfer money, and never disclose personal information. If in doubt, citizens are advised to verify the information through the contact details on the official websites of the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) or the Judiciary Police (PJ). Those who have already suffered a loss are urged to report it to the police immediately.
The statement concluded by assuring that to ensure the security of citizens’ finances, the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) will vigorously combat all illegal activities disguised as authorities. Additionally, the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) urges citizens to remain vigilant, educate themselves on fraud prevention, and protect their assets. For verification of any notifications or information issued by the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), citizens are encouraged to call the MP hotline on 2872 7272 or 2872 8268.
