Hong Kong Lawmaker Warns of Crypto Scam 'Fun Coffee' as Losses Exceed HK$1 Billion

August 6, 2026
Hong Kong Lawmaker Warns of Crypto Scam 'Fun Coffee' as Losses Exceed HK$1 Billion
  • As of August 3, authorities had received 225 scheme-related reports, involving victims aged 32 to 83, including retirees.

  • A Hong Kong lawmaker warned that a Vietnam-based crypto project dubbed Fun Coffee appears to be a mass scam with potential victims exceeding 1,000 as losses mount.

  • Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission cautioned that Fun Coffee may be a suspicious crypto investment scheme after investors reportedly lost over HK$1.0 billion and withdrawals were blocked.

  • Victims linked to the Hong Kong–based Fun Coffee platform report combined losses around HK$107.5 million, with recruitment-driven tactics promising unusually high returns.

  • Initial recruitment relied on non-investment activities like sports events and video tasks, later steering participants toward investment tasks with direct deposits and recruiter bonuses.

  • Six people ages 51 to 64 were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and were later released on bail.

  • The case adds to earlier digital-asset fraud probes in Hong Kong, reinforcing calls for greater transparency, security, and investor education in crypto.

  • An investor described earning far less than imagined from short promotional videos, with filming costs eroding supposed payouts.

  • Investigators are conducting digital-asset tracing to aid law enforcement and are pushing for mechanisms to freeze assets immediately when suspicious activity is detected.

  • Since entering Hong Kong late last year, the group cultivated a health-conscious, community-friendly image through events and elderly-focused promotional videos, expanding to mainland China, South Korea, and Singapore despite Vietnamese warnings in May that it resembled a Ponzi scheme.

  • Eight suspects were arrested in a Hong Kong–Macau operation linked to the scheme, after the mobile app collapsed and investor access was cut off.

  • Legislation is being prepared to regulate over-the-counter crypto exchanges, advisory practices, and custodians by year-end to ensure regulatory coverage of crypto activities in Hong Kong.

Summary based on 5 sources


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Sources

Fund tracing key to combating crypto scams: lawmaker - RTHK



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