Speaking on a radio programme, Chow said it’s becoming increasingly difficult to fight scams because many fraudsters or syndicates operate from outside Hong Kong.
“We have been working alongside other law enforcement agencies overseas, especially through the Interpol channel,” he told reporters.
“We have two officers seconded over there in Singapore, the Singapore office of the Interpol. So on a day-to-day basis, we also continue this kind of collaboration work.”
Locally, Chow said many scams involve stooge accounts, and police will focus on catching those who sell them.
On Friday, police arrested 139 alleged stooge account holders on suspicion of money laundering and obtaining property by deception.
The police chief also said national security threats are still in place despite the SAR being generally stable.
Chow said some people are using social media platforms to incite anti-government sentiment, and some shops have been printing seditious messages on receipts.
“The soft resistance has never been stopped,” he said. “So we have to work harder and harder, and at the same time, we would like to enhance the national security awareness of the whole community.”
Chow also highlighted the use of new technology in police operations, such as plans to utilise drones in patrolling in both urban and rural areas.
