Man arrested over fake flag-day scam targeting animal charity donations

Hong Kong police have arrested a man in connection with a scam in which at least 14 people were hired to “sell flags” for an animal concern group after they were spotted carrying fake donation bags and mixing with registered volunteers to collect money from passers-by.The rare street scam came to light during the group’s flag day on Saturday, a Social Welfare Department-approved fundraising initiative under which about 800 registered volunteers from the Hong Kong Saving Cat and Dog Association deployed across Kowloon from 7am to noon, the South China Morning Post learned.Flag days are a traditional fundraising practice in Hong Kong under which approved charities recruit volunteers to collect donations on the streets. Volunteers carry a designated donation bag and a sheet of small stickers, which replaced the traditional small paper flags that donors once pinned to their clothing many years ago.When passers-by drop coins into the bag or make a digital donation, the volunteer places a sticker on their clothing as a token of appreciation and recognition. The events are typically held on Saturdays, or occasionally on Wednesdays during school holidays. In Cantonese, flag days are called mai kei yat – or “flag-selling day”.Genuine volunteers reported on social media that a group of strangers had mixed into the crowd, openly displaying fake flag sheets and bags that were a different shade.A police source said the complainant noticed individuals impersonating association staff near Langham Place in Mong Kok.