Hong Kong consumers have lost HKD $22 million to “click a button” Ponzi app scammers in a week (~$2.8 million USD).

As reported by the South China Morning Post on November 12th, one hundred and fifteen Hong Kong residents fell victim to the “fake orders” Ponzi ruse.

Con artists have duped 115 Hongkongers out of HK$22 million (US$2.8 million) in a single week through click farming scams which offered “commissions” to victims supposedly recruited to boost sales of products online.

The “fake orders” ruse has app users “click a button” to generate fake orders with online retailers.

The victims were told their task was to increase the popularity and sales of a retail outlet or product by using their own money to shop online, with swindlers promising to pay them back.

No actual orders are placed but passive returns are presented as a percentage paid to scammers as a result of the fake orders.

“Scammers then persuaded them to do more ‘click farming’ tasks or asked them to register on fake websites and make deposits. Once swindlers obtained the money, they disappeared.”

Examples of this model BehindMLM has reviewed include JD Global, Aluzoo and FluxCart.

“Click a button” app Ponzis tend to be run through cryptocurrency but occasionally create fake accounts with processors to offer local currency options.

Organized crime interests from China operate scam factories behind “click a button” Ponzis. The factories are typically based in south-east Asian countries.

In September 2024, the US Department of Treasury sanctioned Cambodian politician Ly Yong Phat over ties to Chinese human trafficking scam factories.

Through various companies he owns, Phat is alleged to shelter Chinese scammers operating out of Cambodia.

Regardless of which country they operate from, the same group of Chinese scammers are believed to be behind the “click a button” app Ponzi plague.