A lawmaker has proposed that the student affairs offices of universities set up scam-reporting hotlines to better protect students from falling prey to swindles.

The University of Hong Kong and City University have asked students to complete anti-scam quizzes as soon as possible, after dozens reported being conned online.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Chow Man-kong said these anti-scam offices should reach out to the police once students report they have been swindled.

He said that anti-scam education was crucial in raising their awareness.

"Mainland students, in particular, they are not familiar with everything in Hong Kong, or they might not have anyone to rely on," he said.

"Under such situations, when there's an incoming phone call pointing out their identities and personal information, they will fall prey very easily."

Campus TV - HKU's student news outlet - has reported that students who fail to complete the quizzes by February's deadline will be barred from certain facilities, including the library.

Chow, who is also the chairman of Legco's panel on education, welcomed HKU's decision to roll out the quiz, adding the university's intention was good.

Another lawmaker, Johnny Ng, told the same programme the quizzes were relatively easy, noting that questions for similar tests on the mainland were harder.

But he said that anti-scam quizzes are necessary, as fraudsters are rampant.