Insurance Authority issues warning on fraudulent Facebook accounts and websites

Insurance Authority issues warning on fraudulent Facebook accounts and websites | Insurance Business Asia

Cyber

Insurance Authority issues warning on fraudulent Facebook accounts and websites

Sites falsely claim affiliation with insurance provider

Cyber

By
Roxanne Libatique

The Hong Kong Insurance Authority (IA) has issued a warning to the public about suspicious activities involving certain Facebook accounts and fraudulent websites.

These accounts, under the name “Congratulation Winner,” have been disseminating false winning notifications, directing recipients to fraudulent sites with URLs “https[:]//hsbc[.]myfreesites[.]net,” “https[:]//hsbc1[.]myfreesites[.]net,” and “https[:]//twisted-canvas-tattoo34[.]myfreesites[.]net.”

Fraudulent sites claim affiliation with HSBC

The IA said the sites falsely claim affiliation with the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) to unlawfully collect personal information.

The IA has reported this matter to the Hong Kong Police Force for further investigation. Individuals who have shared personal information through these links are advised to contact HSBC at (852) 2233-3000 and report the incident to the police.

The Facebook account, named “Congratulation Winner,” has been sending false winning notifications, directing users to a counterfeit website, “https[:]//chubb-life-hong-kong-ixegvh[.]myfreesites[.]net/.”

This site falsely claims to be associated with Chubb Life Insurance Hong Kong Limited to illegally gather personal information.

Chubb Life Hong Kong has confirmed it has no connection with the fraudulent Facebook account or website.

The IA has reported the issue to the Hong Kong Police Force for investigation. Individuals who have provided personal details via this link should contact Chubb Life Hong Kong at (852) 2894-9833 or email [email protected], and also notify the police.

Between 2013 and 2014, Chan sold insurance policies to two acquaintances. From 2019 to 2021, in violation of AXA’s guidelines, he redirected premiums totalling HK$36,093 to his personal bank account instead of forwarding them to AXA. He also failed to update the policyholders on their policy status and upcoming payments, leading to policy lapses.

Following complaints to AXA, Chan reimbursed the premiums, allowing the policies to be reinstated and covering medical expenses for one affected individual.

The IA noted the risk to policyholders of being uninsured during critical medical situations and the potential difficulty in obtaining new coverage.