Tax Bureau Appeals Public to Guard Against Fraudulent Emails

The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department issued an alert urging taxpayers to remain vigilant against fraudulent emails that impersonate the bureau. The phishing campaign involves messages claiming to be official notices regarding ‘unpaid tax liabilities’ and demanding immediate submission of personal documents via embedded links. The emails often contain malicious attachments designed to install malware on victims’ devices. The department stressed that it never requests sensitive information or payment through email links and that any legitimate communications will always be accessed through its official website or verified phone channels. Recipients are advised to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking any links, and report such incidents to the IRD’s anti‑fraud hotline. The advisory highlighted recent incidents where affected individuals were targeted with tailored scams, underscoring the importance of public awareness. The department also announced plans to strengthen email filtering systems and collaborate with law enforcement to curb the spread of such fraudulent activities, reinforcing its commitment to protecting taxpayers from cyber threats.

https://www.ird.gov.hk/chs/new/index.htm