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Hong Kong privacy watchdog warns about fake e-visa portal scams
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data received 16 inquiries or complaints in the past three months, with individual losses ranging from HK$300 to more than HK$1,700.
Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has warned the public about suspected fraudulent e-visa application websites that collect personal data and payments by impersonating legitimate visa portals.
According to SCMP Economy, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said it received 16 inquiries or complaints over the past three months about people providing personal data and fee payments to fraudulent sites.
The watchdog said complainants reported they clicked on fake links from search engine results while applying for online visas, electronic travel authorisations, or arrival cards, then submitted information including names, gender, nationality, passport numbers, and dates of birth.
SCMP Economy reported that individuals lost between HK$300 and more than HK$1,700 after paying fees before realizing they may have been scammed, and the office urged applicants to verify the authenticity of e-visa websites before sharing any information.