Police spoke of the case on their social media page on Wednesday and said the waitress met the fraudster on instant messaging app WeChat last month, who claimed to be a soldier. 

As the two developed a romantic online relationship, the fraudster persuaded the waitress to put her money into investment and the waitress wired a total of HK$1.4 million to different bank accounts for the so-called “investments.” 

When the waitress requested the “soldier” to meet her in real life, the fraudster disappeared for good. That was when the waitress finally realized she was cheated by the fake lover and filed a report to police. 

Police then reminded citizens not to easily trust fraudsters who always fake different occupations and identifies. 

Police also warned the public to beware of suspicious messages on their phones and encouraged citizens to dial the anti-scam helpline 18222 if necessary.