The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has recently reported an alarming incident of a dubious website replicating its digital format in order to propagate fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. The imposter site went so far as to publish a deceptive news article, asserting that Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing had endorsed cryptocurrency auto-trading during a televised interview.
Upon noticing the counterfeit website, SCMP immediately lodged a police report. An SCMP spokesperson confirmed awareness of the situation and urged the readers to remain “vigilant to avoid scams or phishing sites” and to access news solely through the recognized website.
The counterfeit article, dated April 17, was embedded with manipulated screenshots and falsely asserted that Li had claimed to make “millions from crypto auto-trading” during an interview with TVB, a significant Hong Kong television broadcaster. The fraudsters meticulously replicated SCMP’s authentic online layout, aiming to create an illusion of credibility.
A thorough review of the genuine SCMP website revealed that no such report was published on April 17. Similarly, a meticulous examination of TVB news broadcasts from that day confirmed that no such interview or statement from Li Ka-shing had taken place. TVB has also registered a police complaint about the counterfeit claims and cautioned the public to remain vigilant when encountering information from unfamiliar sources.
This incident underscores a rising trend of swindles that exploit the credibility of well-established media organizations and reputable businessmen to entice potential victims. The fraudsters create news articles that appear realistic at first glance, establishing a false sense of security and urgency, thereby manipulating victims into investing in deceitful offers.
The SCMP impersonation underscores the escalating challenge of discerning real news from fake. The fraudsters went to great lengths to replicate the SCMP’s aesthetic and create a compelling illusion that could potentially deceive readers who do not practice sound digital hygiene.
Li Ka-shing, the founder of CK Hutchison Holdings and one of Hong Kong’s most well-known billionaires, has frequently been a target for swindlers who use his image and forged endorsements to market dubious investment schemes. Media experts recommend that consumers cross-verify news across multiple outlets and access information through official websites rather than clicking on links in emails, messages, or social media.
Common warning signs of such scams can include exaggerated claims of investment returns, assertions of celebrity endorsements for specific trading platforms, or urgent calls to act and invest quickly without thorough consideration.
