Bank of China BEC Fraud Investigation

Bank of China Hong Kong (BOCHK) is a common target for fraudsters to transfer stolen funds, the Hong Kong branch of Bank of China is a key target by fraudsters to transfer funds stolen by Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks, Digitpol provides assistance to firms effected by fraud connected to all Hong Kong banks and Bank of China HK (BOCHK), all banks in Hong Kong are a target, typically Bank of China Hong Kong is seen more often in investigations by Digitpol, the modus operandi in most cases is that funds are stolen in the USA and Europe by investment fraud, email fraud or invoice fraud and wired to Hong Kong. If the bank is notified in time, they will take the right actions, the problem is often the delay in detection of the fraud, how to present the evidence or the know-how to start a complaint.

Digipol is an investigation and forensic agency, provides support by acting on their behalf locally in Hong Kong. Digitpol's legal partner is an expert in the recovery of funds in Hong Kong and mainland China, jointly the combination of investigative support and legal services we offer International firms rapid response expertise to assist with the investigation, seizure and recovery of stolen funds. BEC, Scams and Internet fraud is rampant and Hong Kong is a key target for the transfer of funds.

The only authority that can seize a bank account in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Police. 

If you have transferred funds to a fraudulent bank account in Hong Kong, the following is urgent.

  1. Immediately alert your bank the transaction is fraudulent. This is most urgent.
  2. Report the incident as soon as possible to your local police in the country you reside in. Obtain the Police report or case number
  3. Report the case to the Hong Kong Police. Obtain the Police report or case number.
  4. When required, engage Digitpol and its legal team to act for you in Hong Kong to examine the evidence, prepare a report, investigate the case, and liaise with the Authorities and the Banks.
  5. If your physically located in Hong Kong, go directly to a Police station, and bring all the evidence with you.
  6. When Digitpol is engaged, we will immediately contact the receiving banks security department and put them on notice of the fraud.

To file a Police report in Hong Kong, this can be done in person at the police station or online at the E-Crime portal. The Police will first need to be satisfied that a crime is actually committed, this is done by the examination of evidence and the evidence that a crime took place. If sufficient evidence is presented the Police will take immediate action.

In the majority of cases related to Internet Fraud, the evidence of a crime is digital evidence, Digitpol can assist with compiling a forensic report that details how the fraud took place and the examination of forensic evidence such as digital data, computer forensics and server logs. Digitpol will present your case to the Police and its legal partner can take civil action when required.

If email fraud, cyber crime or cyber attack happens to you, you need to respond quickly. Email Fraud in its several formats such as online identity theft, financial fraud, stalking, bullying, hacking, e-mail fraud, email spoofing, invoice fraud, email scams, banking scam, CEO fraud. Cyber fraud can lead to major disruption and financial disasters.

If the report is filled in time there is a high possibility that the fraudster’s bank account can be seized and the funds frozen.

Digitpol is a Dutch company with offices in Hong Kong, Digitpol is available 24/7.   Phone HK: +85239733884 or by email at info@digitpol.com

Is The Bank of China HK (BOCHK) at Fault?

In the majority of cases the Bank of China HK (BOCHK) bank had no possibility to detect the transfer was fraudulent and when they discovered the funds were fraudulent, the funds were already transferred out of the bank. If the Bank of China HK is notified correctly the transfer is fraudulent they will take rapid action, this has been proven. Digitpol has also seen the Bank of China responding rapidly to official requests therefore we confirm they are fully cooperative to official requests and operate inline with the AML regulations. Digitpol reminds victims that Hong Kong receives a high volume of transfers per hour, even with the best fraud detections in place, fraudsters have learned ways to bypass filters, the key in every case is to report fraud to the Police, act immediately and follow the steps above as soon as you discover the fraud.

What Happens When You Report a Case To Digitpol?

If you report a case to Digitpol we will examine the data that you have provided, if evidence exists and we are in position to assist you, we will start an investigation, the first step is the detail all the evidence into a report so that the fraud is clear.

The second step is a report to the Police, you can do this yourself and use our report or we can submit the report on your behalf, to do this we require a power of attorney, once the Police starts an investigation the entire matter is in the jurisdiction of the Police, during this period and in agreement, we may provide additional information or new evidence to the Police.

In the event you have transferred funds to a bank account, we will issue a notice of the fraud to the banks fraud department to hold the account until the Police takes contact.

visit: https://digitpol.com/bank-of-china-bec-fraud-investigation/