The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) today (June 23) jointly organised the launch ceremony for the "Smart Seniors Anti-Scam Ambassador Programme" at Nga Yin Association Neighbourhood Elderly Centre of the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council to kick start the anti-scam publicity programme for the elderly in the second half of the year.

     The HKMA and the banking industry have been conducting anti-scam education and publicity through various channels. The "Smart Seniors Anti-Scam Ambassador Programme" aims to enhance the anti-scam awareness of the elderly. Through visits to elderly centres across all 18 districts in Hong Kong, the programme encourages the elderly to become anti-scam ambassadors and share scam prevention messages with their family and friends.

     At the launch ceremony, the HKMA introduced "Money Safe" and other anti-scam measures. With the support of the banking industry, 14 banks (see Annex) will implement interim "Money Safe" measures for the elderly and other customers (Note) by the end of June to provide extra protection to bank deposits. All retail banks will fully implement "Money Safe" by the end of this year.

     Two promotional videos themed after vintage Cantonese movies were debuted at the event. The videos deploy the mnemonic "Three Anti-Scam Tactics" – "Keep Calm, Give Nothing, Verify and Seek Help", and remind the elderly that scams are often old tricks in new disguises.

     Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Arthur Yuen said, "The HKMA attaches great importance to scam prevention work for the elderly. Through the 'Smart Seniors Anti-Scam Ambassador Programme', we hope to reach out to the community and convey anti-scam messages to more seniors through the elderly ambassadors. We also encourage the elderly to make good use of 'Money Safe' and various anti-scam measures provided by banks to better protect themselves."

     The Chairperson of the HKAB, Ms Mary Huen, said, "Strengthening consumer and investor protection is a top priority for the HKAB. The banking industry has been working closely with the HKMA on anti-fraud efforts and actively implementing measures to ensure the smooth launch of 'Money Safe'. Earlier this year, we established a dedicated 'Anti-Fraud Education Taskforce' to co-ordinate diverse outreach activities and educational programmes targeting various vulnerable groups within the community. We expect over 100 relevant activities will be arranged throughout the year to comprehensively enhance public awareness of fraud prevention."

Note: During the interim period, some banks only offer "Money Safe" to customers aged 65 or above and service details (such as applicable account types) may also vary among banks. Please contact individual banks for details.

     Police today (June 23) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Wan Chai.

     Lam Leung-kin, Eric, aged 44, went missing after he was last seen on Lockhart Road on June 21 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on June 22.

     He is about 1.65 metres tall, 65 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt, black trousers, white shoes, and a grey and pink cap.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) commenced today (June 23) the public consultation on the proposal to enhance regulation of licensed money lenders and invites public views in this regard. The public consultation period will end on August 22, 2025.
 
     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, "The Government has been closely monitoring the market situation in the money lending sector to continuously review and enhance the prevailing regulatory measures, so as to induce more responsible lending behaviour among money lenders. We have proposed a number of measures in the consultation paper, with a view to stepping up efforts in addressing the issue of excessive borrowing and better protecting the public interest."
 
     The consultation paper sets out key features of various proposed measures, including enhancing regulation of unsecured personal loans, strengthening protection for loan referees, optimising and improving the affordability assessment on borrowers in respect of unsecured personal loans, strengthening the complaint handling process, stepping up publicity and education, and enhancing the regulatory regime of money lenders.
 
     Members of the public are invited to give views on the proposals in the consultation paper. The FSTB will fully consider the comments received when finalising the proposals.
 
     The consultation paper is available on the webpage of the FSTB at www.fstb.gov.hk/fsb/en/publication/consult/consult-moneyLendersRegulation.html.
 
     Members of the public may submit views to the FSTB by email money-lenders-consult@fstb.gov.hk or by post (15/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong) on or before August 22, 2025.

     The Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Labour Department (LD) will co-organise the Talent-Wise Inclusive Job Fair at TungPo of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) in San Po Kong, Kowloon, on June 25 and 26, providing a large number of vacancies from various industries for job seekers with disabilities.
         
     More than 40 organisations ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to large-scale corporations will participate in the two-day job fair, offering over 700 job vacancies from various industries, including those of information technology, finance, transport, catering, hotel, property management and social services, providing employment opportunities to various types of persons with disabilities.
      
     Over 20 organisations will set up booths and conduct recruitment each day. A wide variety of positions will be offered, including systems analyst, accounting assistant, clerk, technician, marketing assistant, customer service officer, room attendant, warehouse worker, railway technical trainee, automotive mechanic apprentice, graphic designer, library material maintenance assistant, cook, waiter, multi-skilled cleaner, property service assistant, laundry steam presser, hair therapist, beauty salon assistant and receptionist, etc. Job seekers can visit the LD's Interactive Selective Placement Service Website (www.jobs.gov.hk/isps) for more details of the vacancies.
         
     Job seekers can submit applications during the event and may be able to attend on-the-spot interviews. They can also make enquiries on and register for the employment services provided for persons with disabilities by the LD's Selective Placement Division at its counter inside the venue.
         
     The job fair will be held from 10.30am to 5pm at G/F, TungPo of TWGHs in San Po Kong, Kowloon (accessible via Kai Tak Station or Diamond Hill Station of MTR). Admission is free, with final admission time at 4.30pm each day.

     Thirty-six convictions were recorded in May 2025 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department.
 
     Five of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, two of the convictions were under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, four were under the Noise Control Ordinance, seven were under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, 16 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and two were under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
 
     A company was fined $30,000, which was the heaviest fine in May, for importing controlled waste without a permit.