Who was the victim targeted by the fake Tibetan temple staff in this scam case?

The victim was a 60-year-old woman surnamed Chang who browsed religion-related advertisements on social media.

What did the scammer offer to do for the victim in exchange for a fee?

The scammer offered to hold a transcendence ceremony to pray for blessings, avert disasters, and improve her luck.

What suspicious request from the scammer alarmed the victim before she transferred the money?

The victim became alarmed when the scammer asked her to keep the money transfer a secret and sent suspicious content.

Which police station did the victim visit to seek consultation regarding the suspicious activity?

The victim went to the Chishang Joint Police Station of the Guanshan Precinct in Taitung County for advice.

How did the police handle the case after reviewing the victim's conversation logs?

The police determined it was fraud, logged it as a 165 anti-fraud consultation case, and reminded her of future preventive measures.

Fraud Falsely Claiming to be Tibetan Temple Staff Offering Religious Ceremonies Prevented in Taitung

Published Apr 9, 2026 6:24 PM ・ Updated Jun 18, 2026 8:36 PM ・ 4 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

A 60-year-old woman in Taitung was almost scammed by someone online claiming to be from a Tibetan temple offering to hold a religious ceremony to improve her luck. Police intervention successfully prevented the money transfer.

The Guanshan Precinct of the Taitung County Police Bureau issued a press release stating that around 9 AM today, the Chishang Joint Police Station received a fraud consultation case. A 60-year-old woman surnamed Chang mistakenly believed the claims of someone online claiming to be from a Tibetan temple. Fortunately, she noticed something was wrong before transferring the money and went to the police station for consultation, successfully avoiding property loss.

Tsai Hsin-yu, Chief of the Chishang Joint Police Station, said that after Chang browsed religion-related advertisements on a social platform recently, she was actively contacted by an unknown account. The person continuously sent information about Buddhist practices and ceremonies via a messaging app, claiming to be from a "certain temple in Tibet" to create a professional and mysterious image, thereby gradually gaining her trust.

The scammer used a caring tone, saying things like, "No matter what happens, our Buddha and Bodhisattvas will protect you," lowering Chang's guard. Subsequently, the scammer offered to hold a "transcendence ceremony" on her behalf, claiming it would pray for blessings, avert disasters, and improve her luck, but demanded a fee to lure the victim into transferring money.

When the scammer asked for the money transfer, Chang was alarmed by the request to keep it a secret and the suspicious content. She immediately became alert, did not follow the instructions to transfer the funds, and went to the Chishang Joint Police Station for advice. After receiving the case, police officers helped review the conversation logs, determined it to be a typical fraud tactic exploiting religion, and formally logged it as a 165 anti-fraud consultation case, reminding her of future preventive measures.

The Guanshan Police Precinct stated that this type of scam often borrows the name of religion and uses rhetoric of care and enlightenment to gain trust, ultimately inducing money transfers. It is one of the common fraud tactics seen in recent years. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150409

FACT BOX

Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: News

Fraud Falsely Claiming to be Tibetan Temple Staff Offering Religious Ceremonies Prevented in Taitung

⚡ Key Points

FACT BOX

Editorial & Verification Standards

FAQ

Cite this article — HOW TO CITE

AI CRAWLER ACTIVITY