HKMA issues alert regarding Foreign Finance Bank
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The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong that "Foreign Finance Bank" (FFB) is not authorized by the Monetary Authority (MA) under the Banking Ordinance (the Ordinance) to carry on banking business, or the business of taking deposits, in Hong Kong; and the FFB does not have the approval of the MA to establish a local representative office in Hong Kong under the Ordinance.
Members of the public are reminded to verify the status of any organisation offering bank accounts to, or soliciting deposits from, the public in Hong Kong prior to transferring any funds to, or providing any personal information to, any such organisation.
A list of institutions which are authorized by the MA under the Ordinance to take deposits, or carry on banking business, in Hong Kong is available on the HKMA's website (www.hkma.gov.hk). Members of the public may also check the status of any entity which appears to be soliciting deposits from the public in Hong Kong, or holding itself out as a bank or deposit-taking company in Hong Kong, by emailing the HKMA's public enquiry service (publicenquiry@hkma.gov.hk).
Any member of the public who has transferred monies or conducted any financial transaction, or who has provided personal information, in response to or via the FFB should contact the Police at any local police station or by calling the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Ends/Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:20
Issued at HKT 17:20
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