Hong Kong Man in His 70s Loses Nearly HK$18 Million in Crypto Scam Starting With YouTube Ad
A Hong Kong man in his 70s has lost nearly HK$18 million after falling victim to a cryptocurrency investment scam that began with an advertisement on YouTube. The case was disclosed by Hong Kong police on November 13, 2026, as authorities reported more than 40 similar investment fraud cases involving combined losses of nearly HK$50 million in a single week.
The victim's losses represent the largest individual amount recorded in the latest wave of online investment scams. Fraudsters reportedly posed as investment consultants, used fabricated trading results to gain his confidence, and eventually persuaded him to transfer millions of dollars in cryptocurrency to wallets under their control.
Fake Investment Group Used YouTube and WhatsApp
The victim first encountered the fraudulent investment advertisement on YouTube in June 2026. After responding to the promotion, he was approached by individuals claiming to be investment consultants and subsequently invited to join a WhatsApp group.
Members of the group shared screenshots showing supposedly successful cryptocurrency trades and substantial investment profits. These fabricated records were designed to make the operation appear legitimate and encourage the victim to participate in digital asset investments.
After several weeks of interaction, the victim began transferring money between August and October 2026. He sent more than HK$18 million worth of Tether (USDT) and Ethereum (ETH) to cryptocurrency wallet addresses provided by the alleged investment operators.
The fraud was discovered in early October after the victim's son intervened and recognized that the investment operation was fraudulent. By that time, most of the transferred funds had disappeared.
The victim managed to recover only approximately HK$800,000 worth of USDT, representing a small portion of his overall losses.
More Than 40 Crypto Investment Scams Reported in One Week
The incident was part of a broader increase in reported online investment fraud. Hong Kong police received more than 40 similar reports between November 6 and November 13, 2026.
Combined losses across those cases reached nearly HK$50 million, highlighting the financial damage caused by fraudulent investment operations targeting members of the public.
Authorities identified several recurring techniques used by scammers. These include creating investment groups filled with fabricated profit screenshots, presenting fake testimonials from supposedly successful investors, and directing victims to transfer cryptocurrency to unfamiliar wallet addresses.
Some fraudulent operations also allow victims to make small withdrawals during the early stages of the scheme. Receiving an initial payment can convince investors that the platform is genuine, encouraging them to commit significantly larger amounts later.
Hong Kong Police Warn Against Social Media Investment Ads
Hong Kong police urged the public to remain cautious when encountering unsolicited investment advertisements on social media and video-sharing platforms.
Authorities also warned against trusting strangers who present themselves as professional investment advisers without independently verifying their identities and credentials.
Investors were advised to conduct independent checks before transferring funds, particularly when transactions involve unfamiliar cryptocurrency wallets or investment platforms promoted through online messaging groups.
How the Crypto Scam Built Trust Before Taking Millions
The timeline of the case illustrates how fraudulent investment schemes can operate over an extended period before requesting substantial transfers. Although the victim first encountered the advertisement in June 2026, he did not begin sending cryptocurrency until August.
The transfers then continued through approximately three months, with the fraud only coming to light after a family member raised concerns in early October.
The recovery of approximately HK$800,000 worth of USDT demonstrates that recovering some funds may be possible in certain cases. However, compared with the nearly HK$18 million lost, the recovered amount was limited.
With more than 40 similar cases reported in just seven days and total losses approaching HK$50 million, the incident underscores the financial risks associated with investment offers promoted through social media, messaging applications and unverified cryptocurrency groups.
source: cryptobriefing
Writer: Ethan Collins
Crypto Journalist
Ethan Collins reports on developments across the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. His work covers market movements, protocol updates, regulatory changes, and emerging trends in digital assets.
He focuses on presenting complex topics in a clear and accessible manner for a broad readership.
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