Scam City: Hong Kong - Going Undercover to Become a Sugar Daddy & Meet the Triads | Free Documentary

The host Connor Woodman introduces the concept of 'Scam City,' where he intentionally becomes a target for scammers, hustlers, and thieves to expose their tricks and reveal their methods. He visits Hong Kong, known for its culture and beauty, but also for its notorious criminal elements, the Triads. Connor purchases an alleged 1000-year-old antique cup for $240, but later discovers it's a recent fake, exposing the widespread counterfeit antiques trade.

Connor meets a ladyboy named Kiki at a street cafe, who seems to be making advances and potentially setting him up for a scam. Kiki takes Connor for drinks and tries to get him to buy her expensive makeup, dresses, and bags, spending over $400 of his money. It becomes evident that Kiki may be part of a transvestite blackmail scam, where she tries to establish a relationship and then extort money to 'break up.'

Connor confronts the shop owner who sold him the fake antique cup, revealing that experts have identified it as a recent factory-made replica. The shop owner tries to defend the sale by claiming that tourists always want to believe they're getting the real thing, and that the shop sells stories, not just antiques. He admits that the cup was likely made a month and a half ago in mainland China, where labor is cheap, and that he could buy 100 similar pieces for only $50.

Connor is guided by a former corrupt police officer turned pastor to explore the seedier sides of Hong Kong, including areas controlled by Triads and prostitution rings. They witness police raids and encounter pimps and gangsters, revealing the extent of criminal activities and control exerted by Triad gangs over various businesses and industries.

Connor's guide, the former corrupt police officer, explains the deep involvement of Triads in various illicit activities, including drugs, prostitution, and counterfeit goods. He also highlights the difficulty in establishing contact with high-ranking Triad members due to their secrecy and caution against outsiders.

As Connor explores the densely populated areas of Hong Kong, he encounters various scams and deceptions, such as fake Buddhist monks begging for money and individuals pretending to be undercover police officers. He also witnesses the presence of prostitution rings and the control exerted by gangs over certain areas.

Connor's encounter with Kiki escalates as she demands a large sum of money ($130,000 USD) to 'break up' their non-existent relationship, implying a form of blackmail or extortion scam. When confronted, Kiki confesses to her tactics of targeting wealthy-looking tourists, establishing a romantic connection, and then demanding money under the threat of public embarrassment.

With the help of a translator, Connor gets Kiki to reveal the inner workings of her transvestite blackmail scam, where she targets wealthy tourists, pretends to be in a relationship with them, and then extorts money by threatening to cause public embarrassment. She shares details about her methods, the amounts of money she can make, and the dangers of not paying up.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Connor finally secures a meeting with members of a Triad gang in a secluded karaoke bar near the Chinese border. The gang members openly discuss their criminal activities, including control over various industries, prostitution rings, and counterfeit goods. They present themselves as a business-like organization focused on profit and maintaining control over Hong Kong's underworld.

In the final segment, Connor reflects on his experiences in Hong Kong, concluding that the city is a glittering marketplace where everyone gets what they want, especially those involved in scams and criminal activities. The notorious Triads operate like a well-oiled corporation, controlling various industries and profiting from the city's reputation as a shopper's paradise.