A woman in her 50s from Hong Kong has lost over HK$1.1 million in a “running for profit” Ponzi scheme. The scheme began with a call from an old acquaintance, who lured her into a role as a “team leader” for a running video project. After being introduced to “Director Li,” she opened an account on a cryptocurrency platform for production costs.
Soon, Li promoted a mobile app that promised high returns for completing daily running tasks. The woman, believing in the scheme’s legitimacy—bolstered by lavish banquets with celebrities—made multiple deposits over nine months. She realized she was scammed only when her withdrawal requests were repeatedly denied.
The police have warned the public to be cautious of fraudulent investment schemes that promise guaranteed returns. They highlighted red flags such as early payouts, lavish gatherings, high recruitment commissions, and the use of cryptocurrency. Authorities reiterated that promises of high returns with no risk are likely scams, urging anyone who suspects fraud to contact the police’s Anti-Deception Coordination Centre.
