Nearly a third of scam victims who sought counselling through a Hong Kong welfare group’s crisis hotlines last year had possible suicidal tendencies, according to a study by the organisation.

The Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre said on Sunday that its hotline service handled 3,983 debt-related cases in 2025, with more than 31 per cent involving individuals at risk of suicide and requiring crisis intervention.

“Many who fall victim to scams feel shame and guilt,” the centre said in its report, adding that callers often had a sense of “sudden loss” and “hopelessness”.

While the number of cases last year represented a small decrease from the 4,112 recorded in 2024, it still marked an increase from the 3,156 and 2,757 logged in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

“Although there seemed to be a slight drop in the number of cases, we believe that the problem is still serious and needs to be addressed,” said Sally Choi Wing-sze, senior social work supervisor at the Caritas Family Crisis Line and Education Centre.

According to the crisis support centre’s report, signs of suicidality displayed by the callers included changes in eating and sleeping habits, feeling like a burden to others, as well as a growing sense of hopelessness and feeling shame and guilt.