Core Points - The article highlights four types of phone numbers that should not be answered to avoid potential financial loss due to scams. Group 1: Phone Number Types - "400" numbers are typically used by companies for customer service and are not used to make calls; receiving such a call may indicate a scam [1] - "00" or "+" prefixed numbers are international calls; if there are no overseas contacts, these calls are likely scams [2] - "95" prefixed numbers are used by major companies in various industries for customer service; however, calls longer than six digits should be avoided as they may be scams [4] - "1069" prefixed numbers are associated with non-commercial SMS services; caution is advised when receiving messages from these numbers, especially if they contain links [5] Group 2: Recommended Actions - It is advised not to answer, respond to, or click on links from the aforementioned phone numbers [8]

Core Points - The article highlights four types of phone numbers that should not be answered to avoid potential financial loss [1][2] Group 1: Types of Phone Numbers - The first type is numbers starting with "400", which are often used by companies but do not have outbound calling capabilities, so it is advised to hang up immediately [1] - The second type is numbers starting with "00", indicating international long-distance calls, which are likely to be scams if there are no overseas friends or family [1] - The third type is eight-digit numbers starting with "95", which can be confused with bank numbers; however, banks use five-digit numbers, making it crucial to distinguish between them [1] - The fourth type is numbers starting with "0169", which can send both calls and messages, potentially leading to online loan debts [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the alarming rise in telephone scams targeting mainland students in Hong Kong, emphasizing the need for awareness and caution among students and their families [1]. Group 1: Scam Statistics - In 2023, Hong Kong reported 3,213 telephone scam cases involving a total of 1.1 billion HKD, while in 2024, the number surged to 9,204 cases, nearly tripling, with the total amount involved reaching 2.9 billion HKD, an increase of over 1.6 times [3][6]. - Investment scams in Hong Kong also saw significant activity, with 6,330 cases reported in 2023 involving 5.9 billion HKD, and 4,753 cases in 2024 involving 3.7 billion HKD [6]. Group 2: Target Demographics - Over 90% of victims in the "fake official" scam cases in the Sha Tin district are mainland students [3]. - Scammers often impersonate government officials, police, or customer service representatives from banks and payment platforms to deceive students into transferring money [6]. Group 3: Prevention Measures - The Hong Kong Police Force has issued warnings to parents of mainland students, advising them to verify any requests for money and to be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages [6][7]. - Official institutions in Hong Kong will not request money transfers via phone or online chat, and parents are encouraged to confirm any payment requests through official channels [6].

Group 1 - The core issue of telephone scams in Hong Kong has escalated significantly, with the number of cases and the amount involved showing dramatic increases from 2023 to 2024 [3][6] - In 2023, there were 3,213 reported telephone scam cases in Hong Kong, involving a total of 1.1 billion HKD, while in 2024, the number surged to 9,204 cases, nearly tripling the previous year, with the amount involved reaching 2.9 billion HKD, an increase of over 1.6 times [3] - The majority of victims in these scams are mainland students, with over 90% of the victims in the "fake official" scam cases being from this demographic [2][3] Group 2 - The Hong Kong Police Force has issued warnings to parents of mainland students, highlighting the various tactics used by scammers, including impersonating government officials and financial institutions to solicit money [5] - In 2023, investment scams in Hong Kong reached 6,330 cases, involving 5.9 billion HKD, while in 2024, there were 4,753 cases with a total of 3.7 billion HKD involved [6] - The police have emphasized the importance of verifying any financial requests made by children, advising parents to contact official channels for confirmation [5][7]

Core Insights - In the first half of this year, the total amount of money scammed by fraud groups in Japan reached 59.73 billion yen (approximately 2.92 billion RMB), marking the highest record for the same period [1] - This amount is about 2.6 times higher than the same period last year and is the highest since relevant statistics began in 2004 [1] - The Japanese police received over 13,000 reports of such fraud cases in the first half of this year, also a historical high, with an increase of over 4,200 cases compared to the same period last year [1]