E-mails linking to a fraudulent website

Press Releases

18 Mar 2004

E-mails linking to a fraudulent website

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong to some e-mails purporting to be sent from Hang Seng Bank Limited (HASE). These e-mails contain a hyperlink connecting to a fraudulent website requesting customers to reactivate their accounts by entering their internet banking user names and passwords. This fraudulent website appears to be identical to HASE's Personal Internet Banking website. HASE has issued a press release today to clarify that it has not sent these e-mails to its customers and will never send e-mails asking its customers to provide their passwords or verify their accounts online.

HASE has already reported the case to the Hong Kong Police Force for investigation. Anyone who has revealed his or her personal information and passwords on the fraudulent website should contact HASE at 2822 0228, and any local Police Station or the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

"Members of the public are reminded that they should not access banks' e-banking websites through hyperlinks embedded in e-mails. If in doubt, they should contact their banks." said an HKMA spokesperson.

For further enquiries, please contact:
Jasmin Fung, Manager (Press), at 2878 8246 or
Thomas Chan, Senior Manager (Press), at 2878 1480

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
18 March 2004

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Last revision date : 18 March 2004