Joint Financial Intelligence Unit

Fraudulent Stop Order Purportedly Issued by JFIU

Defrauding Tricks

  • Recently, the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (“JFIU”) received public enquiry over a fraudulent “stop order” purportedly issued by JFIU.  The order requested the recipient to pay a sum of fee in order to obtain a certificate to prove the legitimacy of the remittance that he/she has made, so that the transaction could proceed.

Our Advice

  • The JFIU has never issued such order, or any similar order directing recipient to pay for a fee to effect any financial transaction.
  • Genuine law enforcement officers will not request you to settle any fees or ask for your online banking account number or password for investigation of cases;
  • Even if the scammers are able to provide your personal information or remittance details and send you their law enforcement credentials, it does not necessarily mean that they are genuine law enforcement officers.  Scammers can obtain the personal information of the public through open access, security loopholes and even illegal sources;
  • Do not disclose your personal information to strangers, including your HKID number, address, online banking accounts and PIN codes;
  • Verify the identity of the contact by calling the relevant organisation directly – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.  Do not use the contact details provided in the message sent to you.
  • Do not click on unknown hyperlinks or input any information;
  • Remind your relatives and friends to stay vigilant against deception;
  • If in doubt, please call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” for advice and consider report the matter to the Police.


Welcome to the web site of the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU) web site. The web site is designed to provide members of the public in Hong Kong, especially the financial institutions (FIs) including banks, securities and insurance companies, money service operators, money lenders and stored values facility licensees, and the designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBP) including legal and accounting professionals, estate agents, trust or company service providers and precious metal and stone dealers, a greater understanding of the laws on money laundering and terrorist financing, and the need to make reports about suspicious transactions.

We hope that any questions which you may have can be answered in the following pages. However, if you need any further information, please feel free to contact JFIU staff. Details of how to contact us can be found in the section Contact Us.

Introduction

It is very important that Hong Kong, as a major financial center maintains an effective anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism regime to safeguard the integrity and stability of our financial system. Money laundering and terrorist financing can have devastating consequences and if we do not put in place proper countermeasures in accordance with international standards, the risk of criminals using Hong Kong for their illicit funds and illegal activities will increase. Hong Kong must guard against such a situation that would adversely affect all our livelihoods.

Anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism is everyone’s responsibility. When you come across any property, which you know or suspect to be drug or crime proceeds or terrorist property, you should make a suspicious transaction report (STR) to the JFIU.

Failing to report knowledge or suspicion of crime proceeds or terrorist property is a criminal offense, which carries a maximum penalty of a fine at level 5 and imprisonment for 3 months' imprisonment.