The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) today launched its first anti-scam investor education initiative in a Cha Chaan Teng, bringing practical fraud prevention messages into one of Hong Kong's most familiar everyday settings.
The month-long initiative is being held at the Central branch of 2 Café. Today’s launch ceremony was officiated by Deputy Financial Secretary Mr Michael Wong, together with SFC Chairman Dr Kelvin Wong and Chief Executive Officer Ms Julia Leung. Other guests included Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Mr Joseph Chan, Legislative Council members, SFC Board members and industry representatives.
The anti-scam investor education initiative aims to help the public better recognise common investment scams and fraud risks, fostering a simple but important habit before investing: checking the background and licence status of the person or firm they are dealing with through the SFC’s Public Register of Licensed Persons and Registered Institutions, as well as the Alert List (Notes 1 and 2).
While scams are increasingly perpetrated online and investor education is often delivered through digital channels, Cha Chaan Teng remains a familiar gathering place where people from different walks of life meet, exchange views and discuss daily affairs. By bringing practical anti-scam messages into this everyday setting, the SFC aims to make investor education more accessible and encourage members of the public to make use of the SFC’s online investor education resources.
The initiative features the SFC's anti-scam character “Shui Yu” (水魚) whose experiences illustrate common scam tactics and practical ways investors can better protect themselves. Through relatable scenarios drawn from everyday life, the campaign highlights warning signs associated with fraudulent online relationships, purported investment experts, bogus investment chat groups and phishing messages (Note 3).
The SFC’s Chairman, Dr Kelvin Wong, said: “Fraudsters often exploit human nature, including greed, fear and the fear of missing out. Through this campaign, we hope to remind the public to ask themselves three simple questions before making any investment decision: Who is the person behind the opportunity? What exactly am I investing in? And why is this opportunity being offered to me?”
The SFC’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Julia Leung, said: “A few minutes spent checking the SFC's Public Register and Alert List could help investors avoid losses amounting to hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars. Investors should be cautious about online investment opportunities claiming high or guaranteed returns. When approached with any investment opportunity, it is important to stay calm, verify the facts, and steer clear of suspicious investment scams.”
Pause, Verify, Avoid
Pause: Stop and check before transferring funds, particularly when being pressured to act quickly. Be cautious of purported investment experts who claim to offer guaranteed returns or exclusive opportunities.
Verify: Check the SFC's Public Register and Alert List. Independently verify investment information received through social media, messaging applications or online chat groups.
Avoid: Do not click on links contained in unsolicited or suspicious messages. Never disclose personal, banking or account information through such links.
Investment scams can take many forms and may appear convincing. Investors are encouraged to make use of the tools and alerts on the SFC’s official website and follow the SFC's official social media channels for practical anti-scam information and updates (Note 4).
Notes:
- The initiative runs from 25 September 2026 to 31 October 2026 at the Central branch of 2 Café at 84-86 Des Voeux Road Central, near Central Market.
- 2 Café is supporting the investor education initiative by providing the venue free of charge. The SFC will continue to explore collaborations with other organisations in future investor education campaigns.
- The in-store experience includes anti-scam displays, channels for accessing further information, and photo spots featuring “Shui Yu”. Visitors who follow the SFC's social media channels will receive a Shui Yu-themed accessory carrying anti-scam information.
- Links to the SFC’s social media platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sfchkofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shuiyufocusgroup/
WeChat: https://www.sfc.hk/en/WeChat
Rednote: https://xhslink.com/m/4giWJ6boETV
LinkedIn: https://hk.linkedin.com/company/securities-and-futures-commission
