Phone scams in Hong Kong increased by about 22% in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with police reporting a total of 2,574 cases. Despite this rise in incidents, the financial losses from these scams dropped significantly, falling by nearly two-thirds to HK$430 million (US$54.8 million). This decrease is largely attributed to a reduction in cases involving mainland Chinese students, who are often targeted for larger sums of money.

Chief Inspector Grace Wong Chi-man explained that there was a 45% decline in scams affecting mainland students, who typically lose millions in these schemes. In fact, losses from cases involving these students amounted to HK$44 million during this period, which is about 10% of the total losses and represents a 45% decrease from HK$81 million lost last year.

The police emphasized the importance of raising awareness among mainland students as they prepare for the upcoming academic year starting between August and October.

Original article

This article is like a puzzle piece that doesn't quite fit. It tells us about phone scams in Hong Kong and how they've changed, but it doesn't give us any super helpful advice or teach us something really important. It's like a story, but it doesn't help us do anything or make us feel better. It doesn't tell us how to protect ourselves or what to do if we get scammed. It's just a bunch of numbers and facts, but it doesn't explain why these things happen or how we can stop them. It's not very useful for us to know about these scams unless it helps us stay safe or makes us smarter. So, while it's interesting, it's not something that can really help us in our everyday lives or make us feel better.

"Police emphasized the importance of raising awareness among mainland students as they prepare for the upcoming academic year starting between August and October."

This sentence uses passive voice to hide who is taking action. It suggests that the police are not actively involved in raising awareness, but rather that awareness is being emphasized, without specifying who is doing the emphasizing. This passive construction downplays the police's role and may lead readers to believe that the police are not taking a proactive approach. The focus is on the students and the upcoming academic year, diverting attention from any potential police initiatives.

The text primarily conveys a sense of concern and a call to action. The emotion of worry is evident throughout, as the increase in phone scams by 22% is a cause for alarm, especially with the high number of reported cases. This worry is further emphasized by the mention of financial losses, which, despite decreasing, still amount to a significant sum. The text aims to create awareness and a sense of urgency, as the police highlight the need to protect mainland students, who are often targeted and vulnerable to losing large sums of money.

The emotion of relief is also subtly present, as the decrease in financial losses provides a glimmer of hope and a positive outcome amidst the concerning rise in scam incidents. This contrast between the rise in cases and the drop in losses creates a complex emotional landscape, where worry and relief coexist. The text skillfully uses this emotional contrast to draw attention to the issue and encourage proactive measures.

To persuade readers, the writer employs a strategic use of language. The phrase "typically lose millions" paints a stark picture of the potential harm, evoking a strong emotional response. By emphasizing the large sums of money involved, the writer effectively highlights the severity of the problem. The repetition of the percentage decrease (45%) also drives home the point that progress is being made, which can inspire readers to take action and support the ongoing efforts.

Additionally, the personal story of mainland students being targeted adds a human element to the issue, making it more relatable and emotionally engaging. This narrative technique helps to build empathy and a sense of responsibility among readers, encouraging them to support awareness campaigns and take preventive measures. By skillfully weaving these emotional elements into the text, the writer effectively guides the reader's reaction, fostering a sense of concern and a desire to contribute to a solution.