The number of crimes in the first eight months of the year was up almost 35 percent from the same period last year.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang put the increase down to the relaxation of social distancing measures following the pandemic.

Tang said on Wednesday that more than 58,000 crimes were reported from January to August.

The number of fraud cases saw a 52 percent jump, and he said that's not unique to Hong Kong.

"In other major cities, say for example Singapore and Tokyo, the increase in fraud cases registered a range of about 30 percent to 63 percent, which is similar to the situation in Hong Kong," the security chief told reporters after attending a Fight Crime Committee meeting.

Tang also said police are working closely with the Securities and Futures Commission over suspected fraud involving the unlicensed cryptocurrency platform JPEX.

Almost 2,400 people have filed complaints about the exchange, reporting losses of around HK$1.5 billion. Fifteen arrests have been made.

"Our law enforcement agencies are having a very close working relation with the SFC over any suspicious operations which may involve fraud. As a matter of fact, for this particular JPEX case, police are actively investigating the aspect of conspiracy to defraud," Tang said.

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Last updated: 2023-09-27 HKT 20:57