On March 20 and 21, 2025, police and bank employees in Taiwan successfully thwarted two significant online fraud attempts, saving victims from losing a total of over NT$2 million. As scams proliferate, officials emphasize the need for caution and awareness around suspicious communications.
In the first case on March 20, a man named Lee received a LINE message from someone portraying himself as his brother. The message claimed that his brother's girlfriend was in urgent need of NT$100,000 and requested that Lee make the transfer immediately. Fortunately, the alert bank employees noticed something was amiss when he attempted to make the transfer. They quickly contacted the police, who intervened before the money could be sent. At the scene, officers found that Lee had not properly verified the request, indicating it was a likely phishing scheme aimed at extracting money.
On the same day, a woman named Xie visited the bank intending to transfer NT$223,000 for what she believed was a lucrative investment opportunity. Bank staff became suspicious after noticing she wasn't familiar with the investment details and was sending money to an unknown account. The investment was promoted as having high returns with zero risk, a classic lure in many digital scams. After the police arrived and analyzed the situation, they confirmed it was an investment scam, and Xie promptly realized the deception and was able to protect her funds.
The day after these events, a further incident highlighted the ongoing threats from online fraud. On March 21, a 70-year-old woman known as Xu fell victim to an online scam involving a supposed romantic connection on Facebook. She had formed a bond with a man using the alias 'Xu Linxuan,' who encouraged her to invest in a futures trading platform with promises of guaranteed returns. After following his guidance, Xu initially saw a return of US$240,000 (about NT$7.92 million). However, when she sought to withdraw her profits, she was asked to pay a US$50,000 security deposit first.
Xu was moments away from withdrawing NT$1.65 million at the Dayong Road Bank to cover this deposit when bank employees raised alarms. They quickly informed the local police, who arrived in time to prevent her from falling for this latest scheme. Remarkably, authorities informed them that this was not the first time Xu had been scammed—she had been a target three times in the past two years, underscoring a pattern that is all too common among victims of online fraud.
The police observed that this fraud group often employs tactics such as creating initial small investments that create illusions of profitability. This manipulative approach encourages victims to invest larger sums, ultimately leading to significant personal losses.
In light of these recent events, local police have reiterated key strategies for the public to avoid falling prey to scams:
- Confirm Requests: If someone asks for urgent money, always verify through direct communication rather than just a message.
- Skepticism Towards Promises: Be wary of investment opportunities that guarantee high returns with no risk.
- Avoid Unknown Applications: Scammers often ask victims to download apps or visit fake investment platforms; research before engaging.
- Stay Cautious with Online Communications: Be skeptical of individuals you meet online who seem too good to be true.
The police encourage anyone who encounters suspicious messages or investment opportunities to report them by calling the anti-fraud hotline at 165. By staying vigilant and maintaining open lines of communication, individuals can protect themselves and their finances amid the rising tide of online scams.
