Understanding and Preventing Financial Fraud Against Older Citizens in Chinese Society

Abstract

This study examines the public discourse on financial fraud against older citizens in Chinese society using six focus groups with 45 stakeholders comprising social workers, police officers, caregivers, nurses, community representatives, and insurance and banking personnel. This study uses qualitative data to describe the patterns and social features that facilitate this specific type of crime in Hong Kong. The narratives of the community stakeholders reveal several specific social features of Hong Kong that contribute to financial fraud against older persons, such as traditional Chinese values and ideologies, increasing cross-border activities, the Internet and technological advancements, and unfavourable economic situations. The results of this study support the assumptions of the routine activity approach and have a number of theoretical and practical implications.

Understanding the Risks of Financial Scams as Part of Elder Abuse Prevention

“…Globally there is increased recognition of the risks posed by financial abuse of older people (Adult Social Care Statistics, 2016;NCA, 2015;Li, 2016;Smith and Budd, 2009), and it has been suggested that 'the financial exploitation of older people has emerged as a virtual epidemic in high-income countries' (Penhale, Lloyd-Sherlock and Lachs, 2017, p. 725).…”

“…However, there is growing international recognition of the threat posed by financial scams and mass marketing fraud perpetrated by those unknown to the victim and specifically targeted at older people (Carach et al 2001;NCA, 2015;Li, 2016), and the need to support older people to better protect themselves from scams linked to identity crime (Cross, 2017). This paper uses the term financial scam to denote financial abuse perpetrated by those unknown to the victim linked to 'unscrupulous traders or criminals who employ marketing techniques to sell non-existent, valueless or poor quality goods, or engage consumers in bogus schemes such as investment fraud' (Lee and Baxter, 2017, p. 24).…”

Life Experiences of Abused Elderly in Geriatric Care in Iasi, Romania. A Qualitative Study

“…Receiving high social support (e.g. being cared for) was associated with less risk of overall psychological abuse and financial fraud (Li et al, 2015) and exerts positive effects on health and well-being (Macassa et al, 2013;Thanakwang & Soonthrorndhada, 2011;Acierno et al, 2010;Naughton et al, 2010).…”

Narratives of Compensated Dating of Girls in Hong Kong Using Routine Activity Theory: Results of a Focus Group Study of Guardians

“…The focus group method can also highlight cultural values or norms (Kitzinger, 1995), less-inhibited participants can initiate the focus group discussion, and mutual support can then be spontaneously provided to the rest of the participants by expressing feelings that are perceived as common in their group but deviate from mainstream culture (Kitzinger, 1995). The focus group meeting method has been used to gather public opinion on violence prevention (e.g., Payne & Button, 2009) and financial fraud prevention for the elderly (e.g., Li, Yu, Wong, & Ngan, 2015). The current study aimed to capture the attitudes and values of different guardians regarding a sensitive topic, and to collect rich and detailed data.…”