Police on Tuesday said they arrested two teenagers who were allegedly involved in scamming elderly people over the phone.

Officers said 12 people, aged between 69 and 91, received calls in July and August, with fraudsters posing as their family members and claiming they were being detained by the police.

The victims were then asked to post bail, incurring losses of HK$1.1 million in total.

Chief inspector Lo Chi-lik said the two suspects, aged 15 and 16, were recruited by a syndicate and involved in at least 12 cases of fraud.

"The suspects were in contact with groups on social media which claimed to help them make money quickly. They were then manipulated by the syndicate, and collected money from the victims in person. The two received a remuneration of HK$500 to HK$1,000 every time," she said.

The pair were arrested on suspicion of obtaining property by deception.

Officers said they're looking for the mastermind and other core members of the syndicate.