Hong Kong Police Arrest Eight in HK$6.2M ‘Sugar Baby’ Scam Case

Hong Kong police say an organized group used the promise of highly paid compensated-dating arrangements to convince victims that legal and contract fees had to be paid before they could meet a wealthy client. The investigation covers 80 reported cases between February 2024 and July 2026, with combined alleged losses of about HK$6.2 million (roughly US$790,000). Four men and four women, aged 23 to 57, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and, in one case, possession of dangerous drugs.

Advertisements on social media offered would-be “sugar babies” monthly payments of HK$50,000 to HK$70,000. Victims included teachers and healthcare workers, showing that the scheme was not limited to one age or occupation. After a victim responded, scammers allegedly introduced fake wealthy clients and supposed lawyers in a group chat, displayed forged business cards, and required non-disclosure agreements to make the arrangement look formal. The bogus legal or contract charges escalated over time. Police said the largest individual reported loss was about HK$480,000.

The contract was not protection; it was the social-engineering device. Legal language, multiple participants and professional-looking documents created borrowed credibility while the promised monthly allowance kept victims focused on a future payoff. A genuine dating arrangement should not require advance legal fees paid to strangers selected by the other party. The arrests and loss figures are police allegations at this stage. The report does not establish guilt, and it does not provide a final count of victims or recovered funds.