Hong Kong police reported that a local insurance agent lost more than HK$26 million ($3.3 million) after being lured into a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme.
The case was the largest of 25 romance scams reported in Hong Kong between July 24 and July 30, resulting in losses of nearly HK$70 million ($8.9 million), according to a social media post published by local police on Saturday.
The police said that the victim, who's in her 50s, was introduced last year to a contact interested in buying insurance, and was later referred to a man known as "Uncle," who claimed to work in the car trade industry.
The relationship quickly developed into an online romance.
The man, who presented himself as refined and caring, later claimed investment expertise and encouraged the victim to invest in crypto and download a purported trading app.
