Scam Alert: Fraudulent Websites and Phishing Targeting Five Hong Kong Banks
Summary
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued a scam alert on 13 April 2026 warning the public about fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, and phishing emails targeting five banks: The Bank of East Asia, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Chong Hing Bank, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong), and China Construction Bank (Asia). The HKMA clarified that legitimate banks do not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks directing customers to banking sites, nor do they request sensitive information such as login passwords or one-time passwords via phone, email, or SMS.
What changed
The HKMA published a scam alert on 13 April 2026 identifying five Hong Kong banks whose customers have been targeted by fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails, or malicious mobile applications. The alert specifically names The Bank of East Asia, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Chong Hing Bank, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong), and China Construction Bank (Asia) as institutions affected.
Affected consumers who may have shared personal information or conducted financial transactions through these fraudulent channels should immediately contact their bank using details in the corresponding bank press releases and report the matter to Hong Kong Police at 2860 5012. Banks and financial institutions should reinforce customer communications clarifying that legitimate banks will never request sensitive credentials via embedded hyperlinks in SMS or emails.
What to do next
- Consumers who provided personal information or conducted transactions through fraudulent sites should contact their bank immediately
- Report the matter to the Hong Kong Police Force Crime Wing Information Centre at 2860 5012
- Verify banking communications independently through official bank channels rather than embedded links
Archived snapshot
Apr 14, 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
13 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 |
| China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited | Fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens and mobile applications (Apps) |
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
13 April 2026
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