Hong Kong records nearly 18% rise in ransomware cases amid drop in tech crime

Hong Kong has recorded a nearly 18 per cent rise in ransomware cases in the first three quarters of this year despite an overall drop in technology crime, with police attributing the rise to artificial intelligence-aided attacks.

Chief Superintendent Raymond Lam Cheuk-ho of the cybersecurity and technology crime bureau said police had recorded cases of AI agents and other forms of artificial intelligence being used in cyberattacks as recently as last month.

“We understand that the use of AI obviously increases the speed of attacks, the volume and intrusiveness. The attacks will be more effective,” Lam warned.