New Hong Kong Police Commissioner to Focus on Fighting Cybercrime

First published: 05^th May 2015

Hong Kong's new Police Commissioner, Stephen Lo Wai-chung, said that he will focus on fighting cybercrime and terrorism. Speaking at a press conference on taking up the post, Mr. Lo noted the rise in cybercrime in recent years (also reported on by this newsletter in 2013, 2014 and 2015).

The Government has already earmarked funding to establish a new Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau within the force, and as commissioner Mr. Lo plans to boost training, equipment, investigation capabilities and overseas co-operation on cyber security. Outgoing Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung highlighted the investigation and jurisdiction difficulties in 2013.

Yui Kee's Chief Consultant, Allan Dyer, commented, "While investigation and overseas co-operation are important, so is raising public awareness of information security. In 2014, then Deputy Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung highlighted the problem of people falling for scams when they failed to verify e-mails from supposedly regular contacts, but the message did not prevent Legislative Council Member and former Secretary for Security Regina Ip being fooled by a fake email 'from' MTR Corporation chairman Dr Raymond Chien, resulting in the loss of US$65,000 in February 2015."