Investment Scams are Rising
Digitpol conducts investigations into Stock Broker Fraud and Investment Fraud, such crimes are rising rapidly, scams such as stock fraud, issuing of shares, broker fraud and investment scams are all well organised and not easily to detect. Digitpol has seen an increase in Investment and stock broker scams targeting Hong Kong. Digitpol’s operational units deploy daily to assist with the verification of stock brokers and checks on issued shares, validate share certificates, validate investment firms offering such sales.
Digitpol conducts checks on several layers, document examination, email examination, verification at the stock exchange, share certification checks and on-site visits to the investment company.
It is typical that fake trading and Investment fraudsters have used a fake website that are similar to the name of a real trading firm thats live and registered in Hong Kong, the fraud is often that the website is not the actual website of the real firm or a fake address is provided on the website, often a different bank account name is used for deposits. Digitpol can check all aspects of a investment company, its location, structure, license, website and the domain. We carry out checks with the real company to confirm it is theirs (real) or not (fake). We can validate if the company really exists and if they are "live" in the sector of trading.
In the majority of cases, Digitpol visits the companies office to validate the checks and meet with its staff. In the event the findings are fraudulent, then a Police complaint and procedure to recover funds is required.
If you have purchased shares in Hong Kong that you suspect to be fraudulent contact Digitpol to carry out checks and prepare a report, following that a complaint is necessary at the Hong Kong Police.
How to check if a stock or shares offer in Hong Kong is genuine? Contact Digitpol to conduct due diligence and validate all the facts, licensing, documents along with a visit to investment company office.
If you have transferred funds to a fraudulent bank account in Hong Kong, the following is urgent.
- Immediately alert your bank the transaction is fraudulent. This is most urgent.
- Report the incident as soon as possible to your local police in the country you reside in. Obtain the Police report or case number
- Report the case to the Hong Kong Police. Obtain the Police report or case number.
- 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.
- If your physically located in Hong Kong, go directly to a Police station, and bring all the evidence with you.
When Digitpol is engaged, we will immediately contact the receiving banks security department and put them on notice of the fraud.
In the majority of cases related to Investment 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.
To check if a Hong Kong company has a license to trade Securities and Futures or if the company has been published on the Alert List of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) you can check licensed operators on the website of SFC or the alert list: https://www.sfc.hk/web/EN/alert-list/all.html The information contained on the Alert List is provided as an early warning service to investors but is not a substitute for investors conducting their own due diligence by checking up on a particular entity.
If you have purchased shares in a HK registered firm and you would like to validate the share certification contact us. If your unsure of an investment offering, you can check if the investment firm has a license to operate or consult with Digitpol to check on your behalf. We also offer an on-site inspection at the investment firm.
