Hong Kong man uses gay hookup apps to steal £400,000
A man has been arrested in Hong Kong for using gay dating apps to cheat men out of £400,000 over the last year.
The 21-year-old man approached victims on gay hookup and dating apps, and persuaded them into a joint venture buying and selling gold. He claimed they would earn a 10% profit from the venture.
The man – whose last name is Kwong – then took the men to buy gold and bought jewellery worth the equivalent of £425,000. He then walked away with the gold, claiming he was going to trade it, but never returned.
The victims were four men aged 25-27 and were cheated out of up to £135,000 each.
One of the men was persuaded to take out a loan after maxing his credit card, leaving him with huge debts after.
Police searched Kwong’s home in the Hung Hom district at 2pm on Friday 6 February and confiscated a computer, phone and bags of money.
According to GSN, Kwong was detained overnight on Friday 6 February for ‘obtaining property by deception’ – which is punishable by up to ten years in prison.
Hong Kong police have urged the public to be cautious when using dating apps. They continue to investigate whether there are more victims.
