In this file photo dated June 10, 2019, police patrol along barricades set up outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong. (PHOTO / AFP)

Hong Kong’s Office of the Communications Authority will launch new anti-fraud campaigns across the city this year, working with district councilors and political groups to address the rampant phone scams.

Chaucer Leung Chung-yin, director-general of communications, discussed at a media briefing on Wednesday the office’s work the past year and this year’s plans.

According to information provided by police, in the first 10 months of 2023, there were 2,717 telephone fraud cases, averaging 272 cases per month

Leung said the office will produce new promotional videos and collaborate with different parties and new-term district council members the plans for publicity activities in all 18 districts.

READ MORE: HK forms anti-fraud coalition following wave of scams

To help the public verify the identities of SMS senders, the authority implemented the SMS Sender Registration Scheme in the telecommunications sector on Dec 28.

All companies or organizations participating in this program have started using “registered SMS sender IDs” with the prefix “#” to send SMS messages to local subscribers of mobile services in Hong Kong. Police have participated in this program since Jan 2, and the banking sector will join on Sunday.

Leung said the office will assist government departments and invite more public service organizations such as the Hospital Authority to participate in the program. Registration of organizations will begin next month.

He said he believes that current measures to combat telecommunications fraud are effective.

According to information provided by police, in the first 10 months of 2023, there were 2,717 telephone fraud cases, averaging 272 cases per month. This shows a drop of 29 percent compared to the monthly average of 381 cases in the fourth quarter of 2022, which marked the peak of telephone fraud.

As of the end of December, over 2,400 suspected fraudulent telephone numbers and 6,800 suspected fraudulent websites have been blocked, and more than 22 million voice or text alerts have been sent to remind residents of “+852” calls from outside Hong Kong.

READ MORE: Online concert ticket scams surge in HK in first 10 months

According to the latest report released by the authority, by 2027, 5G will create 13,619 new jobs in Hong Kong and generate HK$22 billion ($2.81 billion) of GDP growth. This year, the authority will further facilitate the expansion of 5G network capacity at major public event venues, such as the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, and the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com