Beware of advertisements relating to opening accounts or applying for payment cards with certain payment or banking entities outside Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to remind members of the public to be cautious about advertisements containing an invitation to the Hong Kong public to open accounts or apply for payment cards with, and transferring funds to, certain payment platforms or banks outside Hong Kong, which are not stored value facility (SVF) licensees or authorized institutions in Hong Kong, for gambling activities.  Such payment platform operators and banks are not regulated by the HKMA.  Any funds placed with them are not protected by the laws of Hong Kong.

In case of any doubt, members of the public may refer to the register of SVF licensees (https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-svf-licensees/) and the register of authorized institutions (https://vpr.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-ais-and-lros/) on the HKMA’s website, or call the HKMA’s Public Enquiry Service hotline (2878 8222).

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
27 February 2025