Macau’s Judiciary Police (PJ) officially launched an upgraded Anti-Fraud Center on Tuesday, May 27th, as part of efforts to combat increasingly sophisticated scam tactics, including the city’s first known case involving artificial intelligence (AI).
The newly enhanced center includes a dedicated office area and an “AI Deepfake Interactive Experience Zone,” aimed at boosting public awareness of evolving scam methods.
PJ Deputy Director Sou Sio Keong noted at the opening ceremony that scammers have recently impersonated customer service agents from platforms such as Alipay, leading to multiple victims being defrauded within a short period.
Authorities said the upgraded center will serve as a platform to modernize public education campaigns, strengthen collaboration with financial institutions, and deepen cross-border fraud prevention efforts.
According to official figures, Macau recorded 1,260 telecommunications network fraud cases in 2024, representing a 1.4 percent decrease from the previous year. The total amount of money involved in these cases dropped sharply by twenty-five percent to MOP232 million ($28.8 million). In the first quarter of 2025, the number of cases fell by 12.1 percent, with a corresponding 28.4 percent decline in financial losses.
In general, despite Macau being a gaming hub, gaming-related scams are rare. However, more stock, crypto, investment scam or love-trap like scams happen frequently.
Sou emphasized that while the figures indicate progress, the emergence of AI-driven fraud presents new challenges. In response, the PJ plans to roll out a major update to its anti-fraud mobile app in the third quarter and launch a “Public Anti-Fraud Awareness Week” campaign to reinforce prevention efforts.
