The Federation is aware of a recent rise in scams targeting hotel staff. Fraudsters impersonate senior staff, such as general managers or supervisors, and request urgent cash deposits into bank accounts, claiming it is for hotel emergencies.

To help protect your staff and operations, we urge all members to share the following precautions with your teams:

Key Precautions to Avoid Deception

1. Verify the Caller’s Identity:
• If hotel staff receive calls, messages, or emails from someone claiming to be a supervisor, manager, or former employee requesting cash deposits or bank transfers for "urgent" matters, they must not act immediately. Always verify the caller’s identity through official communication channels.
2. Do Not Transfer Money Without Verification:
• Staff should never deposit or transfer funds into any account without thoroughly confirming the legitimacy of the request.
3. Educate and Alert Staff:
• Ensure all staff are aware of this scam and remind them to remain cautious when handling financial requests, even if they appear to come from senior personnel.
4. Use Anti-Deception Resources:
• Encourage the use of anti-deception tools, such as the "Anti-Deception App" by the Hong Kong Police, to stay informed of the latest scams.
5. Report Suspicious Activity:
• If staff suspect fraudulent activity, they should immediately report it to the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre hotline at 18222, or contact the police emergency hotline at 999 in urgent cases.

Important Reminder

This scam preys on trust within organizations. It is critical to foster a culture of vigilance among staff and establish clear protocols for handling financial requests to prevent such incidents.

For your reference, we have attached information from the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC), which provides additional details and advice on avoiding these scams.

We strongly encourage all members to educate their staff and remain alert to safeguard both their employees and operations.