Five HK Banks Flagged for Fraudulent Websites, Phishing Scams
Summary
The HKMA issued a public scam alert on 22 April 2026 warning consumers about fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, and phishing emails impersonating five Hong Kong banks: The Bank of East Asia, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Chong Hing Bank, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong), and DBS Bank (Hong Kong). The alert advises that legitimate banks will not send SMS or emails containing embedded hyperlinks directing customers to banking websites for transactions, nor will they solicit sensitive information such as login passwords or one-time passwords by phone, email, or SMS. Consumers who may have disclosed personal information or conducted transactions through these scams are directed to contact the relevant bank and report the matter to the Hong Kong Police Force Crime Wing Information Centre at 2860 5012.
“The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions.”
About this source
GovPing monitors HKMA Press Releases for new banking & finance regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 73 changes logged to date.
What changed
The HKMA published a scam alert listing five banks whose names and brands are being used in fraudulent schemes. The alert documents specific types of impersonation: four banks face fraudulent website and login screen scams, while DBS Bank (Hong Kong) faces phishing email campaigns. The alert does not impose new regulatory obligations on the banks themselves but serves as a public advisory.
For banks and financial institutions operating in Hong Kong, this alert reinforces the importance of ongoing customer education on digital security practices. Institutions should review their own scam-response protocols and consider issuing complementary customer advisories referencing the HKMA alert to maintain public trust and reduce fraud-related losses.
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Scam alert related to banks
Press Releases
22 Apr 2026
Scam alert related to banks
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on the HKMA website.
| Bank | Type of Scam |
|---|---|
| The Bank of East Asia, Limited | Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
| Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited | Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
| Chong Hing Bank Limited | Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
| OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited | Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
| DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited | Phishing emails |
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive information, such as login passwords or One-Time Password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the scams concerned, should contact the relevant bank with the information provided in the corresponding press release, and report the matter to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
22 April 2026
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