The recent release of the Hong Kong anti-scam film “Quick Counterattack” has been overshadowed by unexpected controversy. Reports emerged of the film containing extensive gambling website information, sparking concerns and confusion. However, the director of the film, Liang Wei, clarified to the media that the version of the film with gambling content was, in fact, a pirated copy. The unauthorized insertion of gambling website advertisements was described as a “malicious” act, according to a report by the Beijing News.
The film, which features renowned Hong Kong actor Lui Leung-wai, premiered on November 14 across various domestic video platforms. It received the green light from the National Radio and Television Administration as a significant thematic online film project. The storyline, adapted from real-life cases, delves into the sinister world of cybercrimes. It depicts how criminals use scams and violence to build an underground criminal network, with the goal of raising public awareness about new criminal tactics and safeguarding people from such illicit threats.
Liang Wei reported that just three days after the film’s release, he was contacted by the film’s producers and law enforcement. They informed him that the movie was alleged to contain extensive content related to online gambling sites. However, upon further investigation, the filmmakers confirmed that their original content did not include any such material. With police assistance, they concluded that the reported version stemmed from pirated sources.
The Beijing News obtained video excerpts revealing how gambling site information was inserted into the movie as advertisements. These pirated versions displayed different content, each lasting around 15-16 seconds. Some versions even included countdown timers and tags like “exclusive sponsorship” at the bottom of the screen. This inclusion of gambling content led to misconceptions among the audience, making them believe that these websites were part of the film’s official sponsorship.
The piracy issue escalated into harassment and threats directed at the film’s creators. One key member of the team, who had previously shared their contact information publicly, faced harassment from unknown individuals claiming to be in Myanmar. These harassers issued threats, demanding the film be taken offline, and resorted to creating explicit images using the film crew members’ photos for extortion purposes.
These alarming incidents were reported to the police on November 20. The film’s creators are now awaiting the results of the police investigation. This situation highlights not only the challenges faced by filmmakers in protecting their intellectual property but also the far-reaching impacts of cybercrime and piracy on the entertainment industry. “Quick Counterattack,” intended as a film to enlighten the public about cybercrime dangers, ironically became a real-life example of the threats and complexities existing in the digital world.
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