Con Artist Preys on Kindness with Tearful Hospital Ruse

Elderly Grandmother’s ‘Emergency’ Used to Swindle Sympathetic Locals

A man’s compassion for a distraught stranger’s ailing grandmother has left him out of pocket and wary, after falling victim to a cunning scam in Yuen Long. The con artist, who claimed his grandmother was in Mary’s Hospital’s emergency room, tearfully pleaded for $300, stating he had no cash.

Elaborate Deception Uncovered by Dashcam Footage

The victim, later reviewing his car’s dashcam, noticed suspicious behaviour. The man who approached him had been loitering nearby, suggesting a premeditated act. This discovery came after the victim shared his experience online, where a torrent of similar accounts flooded the comments section.

The ‘Master Actor’ of Yuen Long Scams

Many netizens confirmed the scammer’s notoriety, with several highlighting his “powerful acting skills,” capable of producing tears within seconds. The con artist reportedly targets individuals by fabricating urgent family medical emergencies, often involving hospital admissions or falls.

“This guy, I was entering the village parking in my car in my car Face Hi me, then cried his mouth that his grandmother entered the emergency room, Mary’s hospital, asked me to borrow $300, he has no cash, said he was not a bad guy, do not treat him as beg, he said he was not.”

—Anonymous Victim

One account detailed how the perpetrator, carrying a Rolex and an LV bag, still managed to elicit sympathy. Another victim recounted lending $200, emphasizing the suspect’s dramatic ability to cry on demand.

A Pattern of Deception Across Districts

Testimonies reveal the scammer has operated in various areas, including Shatin, Tuen Mun, and Jiangxia Wai. His tactics include fabricating stories about needing money for salon appointments or claiming to have no cash for taxi fares, even when offered digital payment alternatives.

The con artist often provides a phone number that becomes unreachable after the transaction. One individual who lent money later saw the same man smoking in Jiangxia Village and followed him, confirming his residence there.

Public Urged to Exercise Caution

Experts warn that such scams often exploit the public’s inherent good nature. According to a 2023 report by the National Fraud Authority, impersonation and emotional manipulation remain highly effective tactics used by fraudsters worldwide (Action Fraud).

Victims are advised to report such incidents to the police and to be cautious of unsolicited requests for money, especially when sob stories are involved.