Hong Kong man held for posing as victim to claim HK$20,000 in fire relief aid
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AdvertisementHong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedyHong KongLaw and CrimeHong Kong man held for posing as victim to claim HK$20,000 in fire relief aidSuspect, 36, allegedly used stolen ID details to get a certificate and cheat welfare organisations out of aid for victims of Tai Po infernoReading Time:1 minuteWhy you can trust SCMPDanny MokPublished: 7:10pm, 10 Dec 2025Hong Kong police have arrested a man suspected of posing as a victim of the city’s deadliest fire in decades and scamming nearly HK$20,000 (US$2,600) in financial aid from several social welfare organisations.The 36-year-old suspect allegedly obtained a copy of a Wang Fuk Court resident’s identity card and used it to successfully apply for an “emergency relief chit”, commonly known as a “victim’s certificate”, issued by the Social Welfare Department. The certificate serves as proof of eligibility for fire victims.The suspect, who was arrested on Tuesday, will be charged with one count of fraud, two counts of obtaining property by deception and one count of attempting to obtain property by deception, police said.Advertisement“The police strongly denounced criminals who exploited the generosity of social welfare groups during such a major disaster,” Tai Po district chief inspector Paul Samra said.The man approached two non-governmental social welfare organisations with the certificate and secured a total of HK$18,000 in charity funds between November 29 and last Friday, according to Samra.Tai Po district chief inspector Paul Samra condemned scammers for exploiting the generosity of social welfare groups. Photo: handoutHe was arrested in an ambush by officers after receiving another HK$5,000 in aid from a third social welfare body in Tai Po.AdvertisementSelect VoiceChoose your listening speedGet through articles 2x faster1.25x250 WPMSlowAverageFast00:0000:001.25x