Elderly Woman Loses Millions In Gym Scam: Police

Police on Thursday said they had arrested a personal fitness trainer on suspicion of swindling a 72-year-old woman out of HK$2.5 million and four luxury watches worth HK$900,000.

Officers said the retired woman joined a fitness centre in Sau Mau Ping back in 2012 and signed a 15-year contract that cost her HK$2 million.

But she later decided that she wanted to quit.

Police said the 27-year-old suspect, who no longer works at the centre, allegedly told the woman that he could help her get all the money back, but in exchange she had to give him cash as "handling fees".

She reported the incident to the police on Sunday after she didn't get the money back.

"The suspect was the personal trainer of the victim and knew that she wanted to quit because of personal reasons. He took advantage of her mental state and deceived her into paying handling fees to help cancel the contract," claimed detective chief inspector Wu Hoi-ling.

Wu said further arrests could be made as the investigation continues.