Hong Kong police arrest 61 in crackdown on phone scams as cases surge 46%

The number of phone scams recorded in Hong Kong over the first five months of 2026 has surged 46 per cent compared with the same period last year, with a recent police operation arresting 61 suspects in cases involving more than HK$31 million (US$3.95 million). The suspects, aged 17 to 82, were arrested this month in a police operation code-named “Pebblepace” that smashed 54 phone scam cases, mainly involving the “guess who I am” tactic. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy…