Pedestrians wear face masks, as a preventative measure against the novel coronavirus, as they walk on a footbridge in Hong Kong on February 12, 2020. (ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)

Hong Kong police said on Thursday two men were arrested for online mask shopping scam, the latest in a total of 301 cases involving about HK$1.1 million.

 About 1,000 people paid HK$200,000 in all between Jan 29 to Feb 5 for the much sought after products which were never delivered

At a press briefing, police said the two suspects, aged 33 and 40, were arrested on Wednesday for obtaining property by deception. The suspects claimed on a Facebook post to have face masks for sale at HK$50 a box. About 1,000 people paid HK$200,000 in all between Jan 29 to Feb 5 for the much sought after products which were never delivered. 

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Face masks have become a scarce commodity since the outbreak of coronavirus pneumonia in Hong Kong in early January. 

Police have arrested a total of 10 men and two women in connection to online mask scams, including the two males suspects apprehended on Wednesday, according to Siu Ching-lim, chief inspector of Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau.

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Police attach great importance to such crimes, and have stepped up online patrol and intelligence gathering, Siu said. He urged the public to stay calm and only buy face masks from vendors with sound reputation and trading records.