Arrests in Fun Coffee Vietnam investment scam

Hong Kong and Macau police said on August 4 they had arrested eight people in a cross-border investigation into an alleged investment fraud linked to a Vietnam-based venture operating under the name Fun Coffee. The suspects included six people detained in Hong Kong and two in Macau, according to police statements and local media reports. Investigators said the case involved 225 complaints and losses of about HK$94 million, while a Hong Kong lawmaker said the reported total had since climbed to HK$104 million. The scheme was marketed as an investment in coffee technology, agricultural equipment and related projects, with promised annual returns of as much as 222%, according to police and the Hong Kong securities regulator. ### Who was arrested in Hong Kong and Macau? Hong Kong police said six people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, including individuals described by local outlets as company directors, shareholders and core members of the operation. Macau’s Judiciary Police said two women were detained there as part of the same probe. The joint action followed cooperation between the Hong Kong Police Force and Macau’s Judiciary Police, according to officials in both cities. (news.rthk.hk) Macau police spokesman Chao Teng Hin told a press conference that the Macau side of the case involved losses of 3.6 million patacas, while Hong Kong police put the city’s losses at HK$94 million as of August 3. Local reports said the oldest complainant was in their 80s and the youngest in their 30s. One Hong Kong victim lost more than HK$9.63 million, according to police briefings carried by local media. ### How was Fun Coffee presented to investors? (news.rthk.hk) The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong added “Fun Coffee GCM Projects” to its suspicious investment products list in July. The regulator said the arrangement involved projects tied to the development and sale of technology products or agricultural equipment, including a “cold brew high-efficiency extraction system” and a food safety testing and traceability module. The SFC said the operator and marketing agent were identified as Fun Coffee in Hong Kong and Vietnam. (macaupostdaily.com) RTHK reported that victims were drawn in by claims of annual returns of up to 222% through supposed investments in coffee technology and artificial intelligence. Local reports said the group had established a presence in Hong Kong last year and promoted itself as a coffee investment enterprise with assets of more than US$1 billion. Investors were recruited through online platforms and chat groups, according to police accounts cited by regional media. (sfc.hk) ### When did regulators first flag the operation? The SFC warning was published on July 13, 2026, on the regulator’s suspicious investment products page. The notice said the product had come to the commission’s attention through enquiries or complaints and warned that participants in such arrangements could lose their entire investment. The regulator did not say at that point that the product was licensed or authorized. (news.rthk.hk) Vietnamese authorities had also raised concerns earlier. Secondary reports citing Vietnamese state television said the country’s Ministry of Public Security warned in May 2026 that the operation showed characteristics of a Ponzi scheme. That characterization was reported by other outlets, not stated in the Hong Kong police material. (sfc.hk) ### Why do the loss figures differ? Hong Kong police said on August 4 that the investigation then covered 225 cases with suspected losses of about HK$94 million. By August 5, lawmaker Johnny Ng said police had told him the reported losses tied to the Vietnam-based syndicate had climbed to HK$104 million, and he warned the number of affected investors could eventually exceed 1,000. Ng’s higher figure appeared to reflect additional reports after the initial police briefing. (dimsumdaily.hk) The larger claims circulating among victim groups are much higher. Several reports said chat groups linked to the case claimed aggregate losses above HK$1 billion, but police had not confirmed those totals in the arrest briefing. ### What have authorities told investors to do now? Hong Kong police and the SFC have urged the public to verify investment offers, especially those promoted online or promising unusually high returns. (dimsumdaily.hk) The SFC said products on its alert list had come to its attention through complaints or enquiries, while police said investigations were continuing and did not rule out further arrests. Macau’s Judiciary Police said it would keep working with Hong Kong counterparts on the case. (msn.com) August 5 reports from Hong Kong media and RTHK said the probe was still expanding, with complaints continuing to come in after the August 4 arrests. The next public milestones are likely to come through further police updates, court proceedings for the eight suspects, and any new notices from the Securities and Futures Commission. (news.rthk.hk) (sfc.hk)