PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for September 5, 2026 – Full Text

Empowering SMEs to Expand Globally

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – Ping An Digital Bank (International) Limited (“Ping An Digital Bank”) has launched Purchase Order Financing product that specifically designed for cross-border e-commerce businesses, becoming the first digital bank in Hong Kong to offer dedicated factoring financing solution to export cross-border e-commerce merchants. Requiring no traditional collateral, eligible businesses can obtain financing of up to 95% of their accounts receivable based on eligible invoices, meeting their operational needs and enabling SMEs to take an important step toward global expansion.

Mr. Thomas Tung, Chief Business OfficerofPing An Digital Bank, said, “As the Hong Kong’s first digital bank dedicated to SMEs, Ping An Digital Bank has always been committed to supporting businesses and driving transformation in the trade finance ecosystem through financial technology. By harnessing years of experience in exploring the potential of commercial data, and combining multidimensional data spanning trade and finance, we have redefined the credit assessment process to effectively resolve financing bottlenecks for businesses. The launch of Purchase Order Financing seamlessly integrates credit insurance with risk management, providing cross-border e-commerce merchants with more efficient and flexible liquidity support. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage our fintech prowess and synergistic financial services to help SMEs capture global cross-border trade opportunities, serving as a reliable backer for cross-border trading enterprises.”

Ping An Digital Bank’s Purchase Order Financing is designed specifically for cross-border e-commerce businesses operating on open-account payment term With just eligible invoices, businesses can apply for financing with a ratio of up to 95% of accounts receivable, up to USD 5 million and a repayment period of up to 120 days. To address the urgent cash flow needs of cross-border e-commerce businesses, the approval and drawdown process can be completed as fast as T+1 business day. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on financial statements and collateral, Ping An Digital Bank innovatively utilises real-time sales data from cross-border buyers to gain insights into clients’ actual operational performance, thereby breaking through the cumbersome constraints of traditional credit assessment. The product architecture directly aligns with supply chain liquidity needs, empowering clients to deploy capital with flexibility and mitigate cash flow pressures with ease.

Looking ahead, Ping An Digital Bank will continue to deepen the application of data analytics and financial technology, driving product innovation to empower trade businesses to achieve digital transformation and business upgrades. The Bank remains dedicated to refining its one-stop digital financial ecosystem, spanning business account opening, foreign exchange transactions, cross-border settlement, and flexible credit facilities—delivering holistic support for enterprise operational challenges, facilitating global expansion, and acting as a dedicated and trusted partner for SMEs growing on the international stage.

Hashtag: #平安數字銀行 #PingAnDB #採購貿易融資 #PurchaseOrderFinancing

Ping An Digital Bank

Ping An Digital Bank (International) Limited (“Ping An Digital Bank,” “PingAnDB”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lufax Holding Ltd (“Lufax”) (SEHK: 6623; NYSE: LU) and a member of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (“Ping An”) (SEHK: 2318; SSE: 601318). Ping An Digital Bank was granted a banking licence by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in May 2019 to offer retail banking and business banking services. Backed by Ping An’s advanced technology, Ping An Digital Bank is elevating banking experience, serving customer in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, establishing itself as Ping An Group’s comprehensive financial platform in Hong Kong.

LSAF Global, in partnership with ISCA and the Professional Services (PS) Centre Alliance, brings the PS Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia.

The challenge is often not finding advisers. It is knowing where to start.

LSAF Global, in partnership with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Professional Services (PS) Centre Alliance, is bringing the PS Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia, connecting them with professional expertise, trusted networks and opportunities across Singapore, Indonesia and the region.

The PS Centre is a collaborative network that aims to make that easier by giving businesses a trusted starting point to find professional expertise, local market knowledge and business connections when expanding across the region.

Businesses in Indonesia can tap on the wider PS Centre network, which currently spans Hongqiao in Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Nanjing and Singapore.

The network is set to grow further, with Johor, Shenzhen and Bangkok among the next locations being developed.

Together, the PS Centres and wider ecosystem are intended to create trusted business corridors across the region so that companies entering a new market do not have to start from zero.

Cross-border business is getting harder

The collaboration in Indonesia comes at a time when companies are looking overseas for growth while facing a more complicated business environment.

Tariffs and geopolitical tensions are changing where companies manufacture and source their products. Supply chains are being redesigned. AI and cyber risks are creating new business questions. Sustainability requirements are changing how companies operate and report.

Increasingly, these problems do not sit neatly within one profession.

A company may start with a tariff question only to discover that it also needs tax, legal and supply chain advice. Another may see an opportunity in Indonesia but need help finding local partners and understanding how best to enter the market.

The PS Centre ecosystem brings different forms of expertise and business networks together so companies do not have to navigate these issues alone.

The collaboration comes amid strong economic links between Singapore and Indonesia.

From Singapore to Indonesia and from Indonesia to the region

The PS Centre ecosystem is designed to work across markets.

Singapore businesses entering Indonesia can connect with local professional advisers, business networks and partners on the ground through LSAF Global and the wider PS Centre ecosystem.

Indonesian businesses looking towards Singapore can tap the Singapore PS Centre and Singapore’s professional services ecosystem.

A business looking beyond Indonesia and Singapore can tap the wider network for support in Vietnam and China. As new centres open, the network will extend into more markets.

Across its existing locations, the PS Centre network has already facilitated more than 90 business connections, supported 100 companies and engaged over 700 businesses and professionals.

The ambition goes beyond opening centres in different cities.

It is to build a connected ecosystem and trusted business corridors that connect opportunities in one market with trusted expertise and networks in another.

Helping businesses solve cross-border challenges

A key initiative being expanded across the PS Centre network is the Business Growth Clinic.

Its premise is simple.

Businesses do not always know which professional they need. They simply know they have a problem to solve.

A manufacturer may produce different parts of the same product across several countries and need help understanding how changing tariffs affect its business.

A professional services firm may want to access talent in another market but is unsure how to structure its operations.

Another business may be looking for an overseas partner, considering an acquisition or trying to understand how geopolitical changes could affect where it invests next.

Instead of figuring out which adviser to approach first, businesses can bring their problem to the Business Growth Clinic.

Depending on the issue, accountants, lawyers, tax specialists, valuers, consultants and other professionals can come together to understand the problem and connect the business with the expertise it needs.

Businesses in Indonesia will also be able to tap the Business Growth Clinic through the PS Centre ecosystem. A Singapore company facing a business issue in Vietnam can tap expertise through the Ho Chi Minh City PS Centre. An Indonesian business looking to establish operations in Singapore can connect with professionals through the Singapore PS Centre. A business exploring China can access support through Hongqiao.

As the PS Centre network expands, the reach of the Business Growth Clinic will expand with it.

Mr Lee Boon Teck, President of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), said: “Businesses do not always know which professional they need. They simply know they have a problem to solve. The strength of the PS Centre lies in the network we are building together: connecting businesses with professional expertise, trusted networks and opportunities across markets. The PS Centre Alliance can help businesses in Singapore and Indonesia make the connections they need to grow across the region.”

Connecting businesses with professional expertise

The initiative is led by the PS Centre Alliance, comprising the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, Institute of Valuers & Appraisers Singapore, Singapore Business Federation, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Tax Academy of Singapore, The Law Society of Singapore and ISCA.

The Alliance brings together organisations representing both sides of the equation: businesses looking for opportunities and professional services firms with the expertise to help them pursue those opportunities.

In Indonesia, this gathering of the PS Centre Alliance partners to build relationships with local business and professional organisations, including the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO), Singapore Chamber of Commerce Indonesia, The Indonesia Capital Market Institute (TICMI) and Kongres Advokat Indonesia (KAI).

These relationships will help connect businesses with people who understand the local market while linking them to the wider PS Centre network.

Building sustainability capabilities in Indonesia

ISCA and Universitas Sahid (USAHID) will enter a three-year collaboration to strengthen sustainability capabilities in Indonesia.

The collaboration will facilitate access to the ISCA Sustainability Professional Certification for eligible USAHID students, faculty members, alumni and other participants. It will also support learning and knowledge sharing in sustainability reporting and related areas.

The collaboration aims to connect academic learning with professional practice and build a stronger pool of professionals who can support businesses as sustainability requirements evolve.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Giyatmi, M.Si., Rector of Universitas Sahid, said: “Bringing the Professional Services Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia represents an important step in strengthening collaboration between Indonesia and Singapore’s professional and business communities. We believe the ecosystem can serve as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, professional development, and stronger connections between academia and industry. Universitas Sahid is pleased to support this initiative and looks forward to contributing to the development of future-ready professionals who can support sustainable and regional economic growth.”

The collaboration in Indonesia marks another step in building a regional network where businesses, professional services firms and local partners can connect across markets.

As businesses increasingly look beyond their home markets for growth, the aim is simple: when a business sees an opportunity across borders, it should not have to start from zero.

For additional quotes from PS Centre Alliance partners, please refer to the attached Annex.

ANNEX

Ms Hamidah Aidillah, Vice President, Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, said: “For Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) looking to grow overseas, finding the right connections and trusted support in a new market can be challenging. Through the PS Centre Alliance’s collaboration in Indonesia, businesses can gain access to professional expertise and local networks, helping Singapore SMEs better navigate the Indonesian market and pursue opportunities for growth across the region. This move is also in line with ASME’s internatiolisation efforts across ASEAN. ”

Mr Lie Kok Keong, Council Chairperson, Institute of Valuers and Appraisers Singapore, said: “Bringing the PS Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia creates meaningful new opportunities for Chartered Valuers and Appraiser (CVA) holders to connect with a wider network of professionals in Indonesia through fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building. We encourage CVA holders to leverage on the wider network to build ties with their Indonesian counterparts to grow and create opportunities together.”

Mr Mark Lee, Chairman of Singapore Business Federation, said: “Businesses today need to remain agile and diversify their markets to build long-term resilience. Indonesia’s long term growth prospects and close ties with Singapore offer significant opportunities for our companies. By bringing PS Centre Jakarta and SEC@Jakarta together, we can make it easier for businesses to access our collective networks, advisory expertise and facilitation support, and help them turn these opportunities into meaningful partnerships and growth.”

Mr Ernie Koh, Council Member, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI), said: “Indonesia is an important market for many Singapore businesses seeking to expand their regional presence. Through the PS Centre Alliance’s collaboration in Indonesia, enterprises can access trusted professional support and local networks, helping them better navigate the market and build the connections needed for cross-border growth.”

Mr Wayne Yap, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, said: “Professional services firms are important partners in helping manufacturers understand new markets, manage business requirements and expand with confidence. Through the PS Centre ecosystem, businesses will bring together professional expertise, industry networks and local market connections to support manufacturers and other businesses pursuing opportunities in Indonesia and across the region.”

Mr Dennis Lui, Chief Executive Officer, Tax Academy of Singapore, said: “Tax is not a footnote to cross-border investment – It can determine whether opportunity becomes reality. Tax Academy of Singapore sits at the intersection of government, industry, and academia, enabling us to translate policy into practical capability and connect the people who make investment happen. Through the PS Centre Alliance’s collaboration in Indonesia, we want to bring that strength to the Singapore-Indonesia corridor – helping businesses move from opportunity to execution.”

Ms Peggy Yee, Treasurer and Council Member of The Law Society of Singapore said: “With more businesses expanding across borders and industries, the ability to navigate legal and regulatory complexities will become a critical skill for both businesses and firms. Bringing the PS Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia will further provide valuable and trusted support for enterprises in the region, ensuring access to trusted legal expertise along with other professional services.”

Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #ProfessionalServices #ProfessionalServicesCentre #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy

Via the integration with EBANX, Canva becomes the first merchant on Capitec Pay’s new recurring A2A payment

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, SINGAPORE, and STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – Canva, the global visual communication platform, has become the first international company to offer recurring subscription payments to South African customers via Capitec Pay, the account-to-account payment method built by South Africa’s largest personal bank — Capitec. The milestone is made possible through Canva’s ongoing partnership with EBANX, a global technology company specializing in payment services for emerging markets.

The announcement represents a shift in how global subscription businesses can reach South African consumers. Credit card penetration in the country ranges between 8% and 10% of the adult population, according to the South African Reserve Bank and the World Bank. This limitation has historically restricted the reach of traditional card-on-file subscription models, excluding 44 million people in South Africa who do not own credit cards.

Instead of needing a credit card, Capitec Pay lets clients approve a recurring payment once in the Capitec app. After that, participating businesses can collect future subscription payments automatically. Canva is the first international subscription service to offer recurring payments with Capitec Pay.

Capitec is South Africa’s largest personal bank by customer base, with 26 million clients and over 16 million app users. According to Capitec, one in three South African adults uses its mobile app. “For Canva, going live as the first global merchant on this infrastructure is a removal of a structural barrier that was preventing a large portion of South Africans from accessing our platform at all,” said Bianca Sibiya, Canva Africa Lead.

The offering of recurring payments through Capitec Pay by Canva in South Africa is possible thanks to its partnership with EBANX, which helped enhance the solution and became the first global payment service provider (PSP) to integrate it into cross-border payment flows.

“For years, card-based billing has been treated as the default model for global subscription products, but that default was built around consumer behavior in the United States and Western Europe, not South Africa,” explained Wiza Jalakasi, Commercial Lead for Africa and the Middle East at EBANX.

EBANX has become a leading enabler of recurring alternative payment methods (APMs) in cross-border digital commerce across the world. Including South Africa, the company supports recurring APMs across 12 emerging markets, enabling global merchants to reach more than 1 billion consumers, many of whom lack access to credit or debit cards.

“Capitec’s philosophy is to ensure that our clients experience simple, affordable and innovative services. Recurring payments through Capitec Pay is just one of the many ways we bring that simplicity to life, offering clients a payment experience they already know and trust. Through this partnership with Canva, we are expanding our trusted payment experience and giving clients access to international merchants in an accessible way,” said Francois Viviers, Group Executive of Marketing and Client Experience at Capitec.

South Africa’s digital commerce market continues to grow rapidly, reaching 74% of adults and annual growth projected at 20% through 2028, according to Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data analyzed by EBANX. By that year, South Africa’s e-commerce market is expected to represent a USD 23 billion opportunity, based on PCMI insights featured in EBANX’s Beyond Borders study.

https://www.ebanx.com/en/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebanx

Hashtag: #EBANX #Canva #Capitec #Fintech #Payments

About EBANX

About CANVA

About CAPITEC

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – On September 3, the Macao SAR Government hosted a reception and the Macao Economic, Trade and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to pragmatically advance bilateral cooperation across public and private sectors. The event facilitated over 120 business matching sessions and concluded with more than 60 signed agreements. These partnerships span key sectors including tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), high-tech & AI services, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) & big health, and Muslim-friendly initiatives. Some agreements specifically focused on pharmaceutical registration and certification, regional distribution networks, and “multi-destination” tourism layouts.

The event gathered over 350 guests, including Sam Hou Fai, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR; Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia; Sim Tze Tzin, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia; and Ouyang Yujing, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia. They were joined by members of the Macao SAR government and entrepreneurial delegations, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, and prominent figures from various sectors in Malaysia.

Sam Hou Fai stated that this visit to Malaysia aims to renew traditional friendship, build further consensus, and elevate pragmatic cooperation between Macao and Malaysia to a higher level. Macao aspires to serve as a bridge for deepening cooperation between Malaysia and Mainland China, working together to open a new chapter of mutual benefit, win-win outcomes, and synergistic development. He pointed out that both Macao and Malaysia are key nodes on the “Maritime Silk Road,” sharing deep cultural and people-to-people bonds and close exchanges. Facilitated by mutual visa-free entry and direct flights, the two regions have achieved fruitful cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, MICE, and education. Malaysia is not only an important economic partner and international tourist source market for Macao, but also demonstrates immense potential for collaboration in cultural exchange, educational partnerships, and the promotion of Muslim-friendly tourism.

Tiong King Sing highlighted Malaysia’s strategic position in ASEAN—a fast-growing regional market—and Macao’s role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). By linking their networks, both sides can help businesses unlock vast opportunities between ASEAN and the GBA. He emphasized Malaysia’s readiness to strengthen cooperation in trade, tourism, and education. He urged both sides to bridge connections and engage businesses, schools, tourism operators, and cultural groups to deliver tangible results.

The seminar featured presentations, business matching, and sharing sessions highlighting Macao’s “Tourism+” initiatives, especially “Tourism + Healthcare” big health. Notably, Macao Union Medical Center’s advanced services are meet diverse international healthcare needs.

Additionally, Macao’s upcoming private healthcare law will introduce a “day hospital” category, a one-stop licensing system, and regulations for telemedicine, outreach services, and advanced therapies, fostering a clear, flexible investment environment. Leveraging Macao-Hengqin synergy, the region seeks to partner with Southeast Asian firms to capture medical tourism and big health opportunities.

Source: Avast

When scammers singled out an Avast employee in a sophisticated social engineering attack, they picked the wrong target — and revealed more about themselves than they ever came close to stealing. Threat Researchers at Gen, the company behind Avast, played along with the scammers, analyzing their moves to gather intelligence. Our Threat Researchers dubbed this imposter scam “Phantom Deal” in their technical analysis. The scheme involved executive impersonation, forged legal documents, and off-channel communication, all wrapped around a hush-hush acquisition requiring a large money transfer. Find out what we learned.

Written by Luis Corrons

Reviewed by Jeremy Coppock

Published on September 3, 2026

Key takeaways

• Phantom Deal is a targeted M&A-style imposter scam built around real names, real company history, and a fake NDA.
• The scam works by isolating the target, moving them off normal channels, and pushing an urgent wire request.
• Our Threat Researchers have found the same template and document fingerprints in four other targets across several industries.

Anatomy of Phantom Deal

Phantom Deal is an imposter scam campaign that uses a corporate acquisition involving an NDA as a pretext to trick an employee into making a large payment.

The scam relies heavily on social engineering — an attempt to psychologically manipulate a victim into revealing confidential information or doing something they shouldn’t. It draws on other scam tactics, too: spear phishing, off-channel communication, and the aura of secrecy surrounding NDAs were all important elements in this scheme.

Read on for a breakdown of how this scam went down, and what we learned about the Phantom Deal campaign.

Illustration of how Phantom Deal scams play out.

1. An Avast employee gets a call from a “trusted coworker”

It all began with a WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be a Dublin-based executive at Gen (the company behind Avast) to an employee we’ll call David.

The message, which featured the name, photo, and Irish country code of a real Gen executive we’ll call Edwin, seemed innocent at first. There was no contrived urgency or suspicious spelling and grammar — typical signs of a scam. Just “Hi David, I hope you are well.”

Screenshot of a WhatsApp message from an imposter executive.

But then the phone call came.

The scammer had copied the executive’s identity, but, crucially, not his voice. David knew the executive personally and immediately realized the caller was an impostor.

Instead of just hanging up, he played along, got in touch with our Threat Researchers, and flipped the script from target to investigator.

“Edwin” laid out the situation. A major acquisition was in the works, and secrecy was essential.

2. A “consultant” enters the picture

Next, a second character introduced himself. Philippe was a supposed PwC consultant attached to the confidential deal.

Once again, the scammers had borrowed the identity of a real person, so a quick Google search of the consultant’s name and position wouldn’t necessarily have raised red flags.

Screenshot of a WhatsApp message from an imposter PwC consultant.

The “consultant” asked David to use a personal email address, explaining that the sensitive nature of the deal required them to move communications off-channel.

For the scammers, this was a key moment. Switching to an unmonitored environment allowed them to bypass normal oversight, meaning fewer opportunities for someone in Legal, Finance, or Corporate Development to spot something was wrong.

3. An NDA defines the rules of engagement

The scammers followed up with a polished fake NDA carrying PwC branding. Besides serving as window dressing for an already convincing scam, the NDA defined the rules of engagement: secrecy was legally binding.

In convincing legal language, the document spelled out who could know about the details of the deal and when it would be made public. Discussing the acquisition outside that small circle — or via official company channels — was strictly prohibited.

4. The scammers request a money transfer and proof that it was sent

Once the fake deal was in place, the scammers made their move. They instructed David to send €626,735.45 (over $722,000 at the time of writing) to a company in Hong Kong for what they described as an advance retainer for professional services.

And they wanted receipts.

The scammers repeatedly requested a SWIFT MT103, formal proof that an international transfer had been executed, as well as the UETR number used to track the payment through the SWIFT network.

WhatsApp screenshots of an imposter PwC consultant requesting receipts for a money transfer.

What our threat researchers did next

The request for official documentation provided an opportunity for our Threat Researchers. To learn more about the scammers, they prepared a fake account statement showing the requested payment, then sent a fake bank confirmation email with a trackable link to the supposed transaction details. That link contained a canary token, which is a decoy URL that records when someone opens it.

Our Threat Researchers even persuaded the scammers to turn off their virtual private network (VPN) after they complained that the link would not open. Further access attempts followed within minutes, giving our team additional network fingerprints, although this was not enough information to determine the attackers’ true location.

The token hidden in the link gave our researchers a controlled way to observe how the scammers interacted with it, without sending any real money or banking information.

Screenshot of a fake transaction confirmation from Citibank.

What we learned about this scam scheme

After filtering out traffic noise, analysis of requests to the fake link confirmed what our Threat Researchers already suspected. Repeated visits were consistent with a human checking over and over to see whether the six-figure transfer had arrived.

Our Threat Researchers weren’t able to identify where exactly the fraudsters were located, but they were still able to gather important information. Details of the forged NDA pointed them to other individuals targeted by the Phantom Deal scam and allowed them to draw important conclusions.

Phantom Deal is a broad campaign

Our Threat Researchers’ investigation linked the forged NDA to four other targets across several industries, including energy, industrial finance, mining, private equity, and sales. The names, companies, advisers, and transaction details changed (some referenced KPMG or Ogier instead of PwC), but the documents kept the same structure, legal language, and other identifiers. That points to a reusable fraud template and a broader scam campaign.

Phantom Deal scams are highly personalized

The attackers spent time researching real executives, advisers, company history, and believable business relationships to make the story feel credible. This makes Phantom Deal scams similar to spear phishing, where phishers target specific individuals. In the Avast case, they even drew on the genuine acquisition history linking Avast, NortonLifeLock, and Gen.

Technical exploits aren’t required

Phantom Deal scammers don’t need to be hackers, nor do they need to steal login credentials or install malware. Instead, their goal is to manipulate their target into breaking normal procedure. They use authority, secrecy, urgency, and familiarity to make risky behavior feel mandatory, a hallmark of social engineering.

Why targeted scams like Phantom Deal are so dangerous

Scams like Phantom Deal are effective because cybercriminals invest time researching their targets, which helps them craft more convincing pretexts. They may be familiar with details you wouldn’t expect.

In Phantom Deal, the attackers impersonated known executives and advisers, referenced genuine corporate history, and used forged legal documents to make the request appear legitimate. These familiar details can lower a target’s guard and make an unusual request seem plausible.

Likewise, claims of confidentiality and urgency can pressure employees to avoid colleagues, move conversations to personal accounts, and bypass established controls. By the time money is requested, the target may already feel committed to protecting a supposedly sensitive transaction.

An NDA can limit who is told about a transaction. It should never prevent the transaction from being authenticated. Changes of communication channel, especially from corporate systems to private accounts, should trigger additional scrutiny. — Luis Corrons, Security Evangelist at Avast

How to avoid falling for a Phantom Deal scam and wiring six figures into the void

Imposter scams cost U.S. consumers over $3.5 billion in 2025, according to FTC data. To avoid becoming another statistic, here are some practical ways to reduce your exposure.

• Verify unexpected requests: NDAs may limit what can be shared, but they should never prevent you from using official channels to confirm requests.
• Escalate anything unusual: Don’t be afraid to loop in Legal, Finance, Security, or your direct manager if something feels off.
• Keep communications on official platforms: Treat a request to move a deal to WhatsApp or personal email as a red flag.
• Never bypass normal controls: Urgency or confidentiality are not reasons to skip approval steps. Use the company’s established payment and escalation channels, even for sensitive transactions.
• Use cybersecurity software: As a consumer, you can install dedicated antivirus software, like Avast One, to help alert you to scams and protect you from malware.

Source article: https://www.avast.com/c-phantom-deal

Amid rising textile waste crisis, environmental NGO Redress’ world-leading sustainable fashion competition winner proves that designing out waste is one of fashion’s biggest opportunities

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – Redress, the Hong Kong-based, Asia-focused environmental NGO accelerating circular fashion, announced the winner of the Redress Design Award 2026, the world’s leading sustainable fashion design competition, at a star-studded runway finale at CENTRESTAGE, Asia’s annual fashion showcase. The finalists’ runway collections, designed using circular techniques including factory surplus, discarded garments, excess new stock, furnishings waste, tackled the global textile waste crisis and highlighted what most fashion consumers do not realise: an estimated 80% of a product’s environmental impact is locked in at design stage^[1], long before the clothes hit the shop floor.

“My generation of designers won’t be judged just on aesthetics. We must understand circularity – durability, repairability and recyclability – from the drawing board to fill the racks with what more consumers hope to buy. Coming into this wasteful fashion industry is intimidating and we must respond with courage,” said Jon Liesenfeld, from Germany, Redress Design Award 2026 First Prize Winner, who outdesigned seven other finalists from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, United Kingdom, Austria, and Israel.

As Lead Sponsor, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) has supported the Award as a cornerstone project for 14 consecutive years. “Creativity and sustainability have never been more closely intertwined than they are today,” shared Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, CCIDA. “We take great pride in the legacy of the Award: over 350 alumni across more than 40 regions, many of whom have gone on to translate circular design principles into thriving, real-world practice — a clear testament to the Award’s wide-reaching impact.”

The fashion industry must reinvent itself – from the drawing board up

Textile waste is a global crisis, with an estimated 120 million tonnes generated annually, of which 80% ends up in landfills or being incinerated^[2]. The global textile industry is only 0.3% circular^[3].

“Whilst the fashion industry faces serious challenges – from geopolitical pressures, inflation, complex global supply chains to incoming legislation – it is catastrophically still on its wasteful, runaway trainwreck,” said Dr. Christina Dean, Founder, Redress. “Circularity is flat-lining despite circular textile business models being estimated to generate US$700 billion in economic value by 2030^[4] and whilst clothing waste sky rockets, which will be exacerbated by global dominance of ultra fast fashion brands. Redress’ work to catalyse circular fashion is critical and our educational movement has reached millions of designers in almost 100 countries worldwide,” she said.

All finalists join Redress’ Alumni global network of 350+ designers who continue sparking solutions. Alumnus Kevin Germanier closed Paris Couture Week this spring with a collection made entirely from LVMH-owned brands’ excess inventory across. Alumnus Angus Tsui and Eric Wong have transformed retired DHL courier uniforms into accessories.

Upcycling continues moving mainstream, with LVMH Group, Miu Miu, Coach, Uniqlo, Converse, Wrangler and Vivienne Westwood, developing various upcycled collections, selling its creativity and uniqueness rather than sustainability alone.

Incoming regulation, particularly the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Extender Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear, have given brands more incentive to embrace upcycling than just a few years ago.

Redress Design Award 2026 Prizes expose winners to array of British businesses

Jon Liesenfeld wins an educational journey to British fashion businesses; from design-led apparel manufacturers, Simple Approach who produce 50 million apparel pieces annually for brands including Primark and Next; luxury womenswear brand Roksanda, worn by Her Royal Highness Catherine, Princess of Wales, Michelle Obama, Kate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway. This prize is supported by GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign.

The runner-up, Jasmine Cheuk from Hong Kong, wins a mentorship with distinguished British fashion activist and competition judge, Orsola de Castro, who has mentored Redress’ competition winners every cycle for the last decade and has been a judge since the competition’s inception. Jasmine also won the Hong Kong Best prize.

Redress empowers emerging designers to help close the educational skills gap

Redress recognises the urgent need to equip designers with the skills required to narrow the educational gap within the fashion industry. An integrative review of 81 papers found that mainstream fashion design courses still “scarcely incorporate sustainability within their curricula”, underscoring the need to strengthen sustainability education through both theoretical understanding and practical application.^[5] To date, Redress has directly educated 36,500+ fashion designers and educators and has generated 18 million views across its online educational resources.

In addition to education, Redress builds strategic industry partnerships to create real-world pathways for designers. During the Redress Design Award 2026, finalists remade discarded, unwearable post-consumer clothing waste into retail-ready collections for multi-brand fashion retailer, D-mop, in collaboration with TAL Apparel, leading global garment manufacturer. This work was delivered as part of the ‘Remake to Retail’ challenge; the resulting collection is scheduled to launch with D-mop later this year.

Redress Design Award turns consumer concern into sustainable demand

Engaging with consumers to drive the sustainable fashion movement is critical, given rampant overconsumption and clothing underutilisation, which results in the majority of clothing being landfilled or burned within one year of production.^[6] Whilst the majority of consumers believe brands have a responsibility to make positive change in the world^[7], an intention gap between what consumers think and what they do persists, whereby 71% of global consumers are concerned about sustainability in fashion, yet only 3% of them are willing to pay a premium for it.^[8]

Through the Redress Design Award, finalists demonstrate that sustainable fashion can be desirable. By showcasing exceptional design and compelling storytelling, and by bringing remade clothing into mainstream spaces, these next-generation designers motivate consumers to actively choose more sustainable options, turning concern into demand.

Editor’s Notes

• Data and Statistics Insights: Redress Design Award: Redress Design Award Additional Resources – The Issues
• Competition Criteria: The Redress Design Award 2026 was open to global applications from emerging designers and students with less than four years’ professional experience focusing on womenswear and menswear original collection designs. Competition brief here.
• The People’s Choice winner, voted by the public, was Tal Zohar from Israel.
• Judges are: Orsola de Castro, Author and Fashion Activist; Rachel Franklin, Director of ESG, Simple Approach; Cherry Mui, Editorial Director, Vogue Hong Kong; Rod Henderson, President, TAL Apparel Ltd; Angus Tsui, Creative Director, ANGUS TSUI and Alumnus, Redress Design Award; and Dr. Christina Dean, Founder and Board Chair, Redress.
• Sponsors Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) as the Lead Sponsor. Other key partners include DHL and TAL Group.
• Redress Alumni Networkoffers designers ongoing support as they develop their careers in sustainable fashion.

Hashtag: #RedressDesignAward

The Redress Design Award

Large-scale urban developments, integrated ecosystems and transparent pricing platforms address longstanding concerns over information access and product quality.

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – For overseas Vietnamese considering investment in their country of origin, two persistent concerns have traditionally been access to reliable information and confidence in product quality. As large-scale, internationally oriented urban developments continue to take shape across Vietnam, that landscape is evolving. With projects spanning thousands of hectares, living standards refined over nearly two decades, and an integrated ecosystem rarely matched in the market, Vinhomes has emerged as a natural destination for overseas Vietnamese investment.

Global Remittances: A Steady Flow Increasingly Directed Toward Real Estate

Globally, remittances have long ranked among the most stable sources of external finance for developing economies. According to World Bank estimates cited by the U.S. Federal Reserve, global remittance flows reached a record approximately US$818 billion in 2023⁽¹⁾, nearly four times the combined official development assistance (ODA) provided by OECD countries. Increasingly, these funds are moving beyond day-to-day consumption toward long-term asset accumulation, with real estate ranking among the preferred choices of financially established households.

Vietnam offers a particularly clear illustration of this trend. Total remittances to the country reached approximately US$16 billion in 2024⁽²⁾, keeping Vietnam among the world’s ten largest recipients. Notably, nearly US$8 billion in remittance capital flowed into Vietnam’s real estate market in the first nine months of 2025 alone⁽³⁾, a strong indication of growing confidence among overseas Vietnamese in the domestic market.

Unlike short-term speculative capital, overseas Vietnamese buyers tend to view property as a means of preserving and building wealth over the long term. This helps explain why large-scale urban developments with coherent master planning, transparent legal frameworks and proven operational capabilities are increasingly prioritized by this demographic.

Recent amendments to Vietnam’s Land Law and Law on Real Estate Business, which took effect in 2024, have further expanded the rights of overseas Vietnamese. Those of Vietnamese origin who retain Vietnamese citizenship enjoy land-related rights and obligations broadly equivalent to those of domestic citizens. Those of Vietnamese origin without Vietnamese citizenship have also gained a more accessible legal pathway to home ownership.

This policy shift addresses a substantial unmet demand. Potential housing demand among overseas Vietnamese in Vietnam has been estimated at more than three million homes, a market whose development was previously constrained in part by procedural barriers and concerns over the transparency of project information.

Vinhomes: A Key Destination for Overseas Vietnamese Investment

If policy reforms have opened the door, Vinhomes has become one of the key addresses through which overseas Vietnamese are choosing to invest.

Over nearly two decades, beginning with developments such as Royal City, Times City and Vinhomes Riverside, Vinhomes has helped introduce and scale a model of integrated urban living in Vietnam, bringing homes, education, healthcare, retail, green mobility and essential services together within a single, connected environment. In doing so, the company has helped raise the benchmark for urban development across the domestic real estate sector.

The scale of that platform is reflected in figures that few developers in Vietnam can match. Vinhomes currently holds a land bank of approximately 29,500 hectares, equivalent to nearly two-thirds of Singapore’s total land area, making it the country’s largest real estate developer by land holdings. The company has brought 32 projects and urban developments into operation, supporting the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of residents across Vietnam.

Its momentum in 2025 further reinforced that leading position. Vinhomes recorded VND205.3 trillion in contracted sales in 2025, up 98% year on year. During the year, four new mega-urban developments were introduced to the market: Vinhomes Wonder City in Hanoi, Vinhomes Golden City in Hai Phong, Vinhomes Green Paradise in Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City, and Vinhomes Green City in Long An.

The company’s approach to raising living standards has also received recognition beyond Vietnam. At the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2025, Vinhomes was named “Developer of the Year Southeast Asia 2025”, the highest distinction presented by the awards.

It is this combination of scale, brand credibility and transparency that is proving particularly relevant to the global Vietnamese community.

At Vinhomes Royal Island in Vu Yen, Hai Phong, the project attracted nearly 10,000 visitors and close to 2,000 purchase bookings within just over a month of its launch. A significant proportion of these prospective buyers were overseas Vietnamese from Germany, Poland and other European countries.

The project was also among the first Vinhomes developments to publicly list property prices on the Vinhomes Market platform, enabling buyers anywhere in the world to access product information, pricing and sales policies remotely. For overseas Vietnamese, this directly addresses one of the most persistent obstacles to investing from abroad: the difficulty of obtaining comprehensive and reliable information without being physically present in Vietnam.

At Vinhomes Hai Van Bay in Da Nang, a number of overseas Vietnamese families have chosen to acquire two different types of property within the development: one designed to generate rental income while they remain overseas, and another, such as a villa, intended for their eventual return to Vietnam, whether for retirement or long-term residence.

Behind the appeal of individual developments is the broader Vingroup ecosystem, which brings together education through Vinschool and VinUni, healthcare through Vinmec, retail through Vincom Retail, hospitality and entertainment through Vinpearl and VinWonders, and green mobility through VinFast and Green SM.

The significance lies not simply in the number of businesses involved, but in how these services work together. They allow a Vinhomes development to function as a complete living environment, with the convenience, connectivity and service standards increasingly expected of international cities. For overseas Vietnamese who have spent years accustomed to high-quality urban environments abroad, that continuity of experience can be an important consideration — whether the intention is to invest today or plan for a future return to Vietnam.

A Two-Way Connection: When Confidence Becomes a Growth Driver

The convergence of more open policies, substantial remittance flows and a leading urban developer with Vinhomes’ scale is creating a reinforcing cycle.

Greater confidence encourages more overseas Vietnamese capital to enter the domestic property market. At the same time, the scale, credibility and operating track record of large urban developments give investors greater confidence that their capital is being placed in an environment they can understand, access and ultimately return to.

For the global Vietnamese community, property can serve as one of the tangible links between financial participation and a deeper connection with their country of origin. As Vietnam’s cities continue to evolve, the opportunity increasingly moves in both directions: capital can flow back before people do, while the developments they invest in can become the places to which they eventually return.

In that sense, Vinhomes is not simply participating in the flow of capital back to Vietnam. Its urban developments are helping give that flow a more tangible destination, one where investment, quality of life and the prospect of returning to Vietnam increasingly converge.

Hashtag: #Vinhomes

New digital capability provides customers with added protection in everyday online transactions

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – Citi today announced the upcoming launch of Hong Kong’s first Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic Card Validation Code (CVC), in partnership with Mastercard. The new capability provides an additional layer of protection for online transactions and reinforces Citi’s commitment to delivering innovative digital solutions that help protect customers against fraud in an increasingly digital world.

As digital commerce continues to evolve and become an increasingly important part of daily life, customers are seeking stronger protection against fraud, especially for card-not-present (CNP) transactions, without compromising convenience. The urgency of this need is underscored by the acceleration of digital payments. In 2025, Citi Hong Kong recorded over 20% year-on-year growth in the combined volume of domestic e-commerce and recurring transactions, with even higher growth for these transactions conducted in foreign currency. Globally, 40% of Mastercard transactions are now tokenized and contactless payments represent about 70% of all in-person purchase transactions on Mastercard-branded cards worldwide.

Citi’s data shows that approximately 80% of credit card fraud attempts are related to CNP transactions, highlighting the importance of enhancing protection in online payment environments. Citi’s Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC is designed to address this need by helping customers reduce the exposure of their physical card credentials across digital merchants, while continuing to support online shopping, subscriptions and recurring payments.

How It Works

Accessible through the Citi Mobile® App, the solution combines a Virtual Credit Card number with a Dynamic CVC that generates a one-time-use verification code for each new transaction. If a generated Dynamic CVC is not used within its validity period, it will automatically refresh when viewed in the Citi Mobile ® App.

The Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC leverages Mastercard’s tokenization infrastructure, which underpins the security of millions of digital transactions globally. By generating a unique, time-limited code for every online transaction, the solution ensures that even if card details are compromised, they cannot be reused by fraudsters – dramatically reducing the risk of unauthorized transactions.

Complementing the Physical Card Experience

Beyond enhanced protection, the Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC is designed to complement the physical card experience. Customers can continue to use their physical cards for everyday in-person purchases, while the Virtual Credit Card can be used for online subscriptions, recurring payments, e-commerce transactions and mobile wallets.

This new feature gives customers greater control over their digital footprint, enabling them to compartmentalize their online spending and reduce risk exposure without any disruption to their existing card usage.

The upcoming launch forms part of Citi Hong Kong’s ongoing investment in digital capabilities aimed at enhancing customer experience and providing more intuitive, secure and convenient banking solutions.

Sarah O, Head of Digital Growth & Cards and Unsecured Lending Sales, Citi Hong Kong, said, “At Citi, we are focused on delivering innovative solutions that help customers navigate an increasingly digital world with confidence. The upcoming launch of Hong Kong’s first Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC reflects how we are leveraging digital innovation to make online payments safer, easier and more reassuring, helping customers transact with greater confidence and peace of mind. With the rapid growth of digital commerce and the persistent threat of card-not-present fraud, solutions like this are not just a differentiator – they are a necessity for responsible digital banking.”

Helena Chen, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Hong Kong and Macau, Mastercard, said, “Mastercard is honored by the trust Citi has placed in us to bring this market-first innovation to their Hong Kong credit cardholders. The Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC leverages Mastercard’s tokenization capabilities to safeguard cardholders’ credentials, demonstrating how our security innovations are setting a new benchmark for consumer protection in digital commerce. This launch also reflects Mastercard’s promise to deliver safe and secure payment experiences to every cardholder.”

The Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC will be made available to eligible Citi Mastercard credit card customers in Hong Kong in the coming months through the Citi Mobile® App.

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Photo: Helena Chen, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Hong Kong and Macau, Mastercard (left) and Sarah O, Head of Digital Growth & Cards and Unsecured Lending Sales, Citi Hong Kong (right)

Hashtag: #Citi

About Citi