HONG KONG - The bourse operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) said Friday in a statement that investors were advised to exercise caution when approached by individuals posing as HKEx representatives for investment or fund raising purposes.

The HKEx has learnt that individuals posing as HKEx authorized representatives have approached public investors located in the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, directly or through the Internet, to enter into an agreement which involves the investor paying to the HKEx a sum of money for the purpose of investing in securities.

It has been reported to the HKEx that there is in circulation a form of agreement which has purportedly been drawn up in the name of the HKEx and which includes HKEx's logo to this effect, according to the statement.

The HKEx said it has not authorized any person to engage in any fund raising activity on its behalf, whether relating to securities investment or otherwise.

It has not authorized any person either to offer any investment services on its behalf.

The agreement is a fraudulent document circulated without the knowledge and authorization of the HKEx and the investment activities mentioned are scams to defraud investors. The HKEx said it has reported the matter to the relevant Hong Kong authorities and will report it to the relevant mainland authorities.