Fraud Ring Meile Company Involved in Over NT$15.7 Billion Scam, Financier Detained

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office's "Operation Gold Slash" successfully busted Taiwan's largest "fake withdrawal" criminal syndicate, involving over NT$15.7 billion in fraud. The main suspect, surnamed Ou, and 80 other defendants were indicted, with prosecutors seeking a prison sentence of over 25 years for Ou. The Taipei District Court previously sentenced her to 24 years in prison last November.

Investigations revealed that Ou's criminal syndicate used illegal telecommunications systems to set up over 2,230 fake investment websites and apps. They tricked victims into handing over investment funds, then transferred "withdrawals" to designated accounts to create the illusion of actual profits, misleading victims into believing it was a legitimate investment channel and causing them to continuously pour in massive amounts of money.

According to prosecutors, between May 1, 2024, and January 7, 2025, the total fake withdrawal amount reached over NT$850.17 million. A total of 5,080 people fell victim to the scam, with illegal gains soaring to over NT$15.71 billion.

The prosecutors office continued tracking the source and found that a man surnamed Wang was suspected of being the behind-the-scenes financier of the fraudulent Meile Company. On the 8th, prosecutors directed the New Taipei City Police Department's Criminal Investigation Corps to conduct searches at 6 locations, including Wang's and related persons' residences and companies, using court-issued search warrants. Wang was detained for questioning and transferred to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for further interrogation today. (Editor: Hsiao Po-wen) 1150409