Taichung Police Dismantle Fraud Ring, Arrest 18; Romance Scam Victim Recruited as Courier
Taichung police have dismantled a fraud ring, arresting 18 members. Investigations revealed the involvement of gang members who used romance scams on social media to recruit a woman as a money courier. The group used fake investment websites to defraud 14 victims of over NT$40 million. The suspects have been referred to prosecutors for money laundering and fraud.
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- 📰 Published: June 1, 2026 at 14:33
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According to the Central News Agency, the Sixth Investigation Corps of the Criminal Investigation Bureau announced today that they have dismantled a fraud ring and arrested 18 people. Investigations revealed that gang members were involved, and a female courier in the group had been lured into a romance scam on social media, subsequently being recruited to act as a courier for face-to-face cash collections. The suspects were referred to the authorities after questioning.
The Sixth Investigation Corps analyzed data from the 165 anti-fraud database and found that Taichung residents were seeing "guaranteed profit" investment messages on Facebook, being lured into investment groups, and then registering on fake investment websites, where they were tricked into increasing their investments.
Prosecutors and police formed a special task force and discovered that two gang members were involved. A man surnamed Wu was responsible for liaising with overseas fraud hubs and directing members in Taiwan to act as money collectors, brokers, and couriers, handing over the illicit funds to the group's superiors.
The task force also discovered that a female courier surnamed Yang had fallen into a romance scam trap. Her fake boyfriend arranged for her to work as a courier for the group, paying her a monthly salary of NT$30,000. Over six months, she had assisted in collecting NT$10 million in fraudulent funds.
Between September 114 and May 115, the task force conducted five search and arrest operations, apprehending 18 people including the ringleader Wu, money collectors, brokers, couriers, and call center members. They seized NT$65,000 in cash and related evidence.
Police identified 14 victims with total financial losses of over NT$40 million. Wu and the other 18 suspects were referred to the Taichung District Prosecutors Office for violations of the Money Laundering Control Act, the Organized Crime Prevention Act, and fraud charges.
The Sixth Investigation Corps analyzed data from the 165 anti-fraud database and found that Taichung residents were seeing "guaranteed profit" investment messages on Facebook, being lured into investment groups, and then registering on fake investment websites, where they were tricked into increasing their investments.
Prosecutors and police formed a special task force and discovered that two gang members were involved. A man surnamed Wu was responsible for liaising with overseas fraud hubs and directing members in Taiwan to act as money collectors, brokers, and couriers, handing over the illicit funds to the group's superiors.
The task force also discovered that a female courier surnamed Yang had fallen into a romance scam trap. Her fake boyfriend arranged for her to work as a courier for the group, paying her a monthly salary of NT$30,000. Over six months, she had assisted in collecting NT$10 million in fraudulent funds.
Between September 114 and May 115, the task force conducted five search and arrest operations, apprehending 18 people including the ringleader Wu, money collectors, brokers, couriers, and call center members. They seized NT$65,000 in cash and related evidence.
Police identified 14 victims with total financial losses of over NT$40 million. Wu and the other 18 suspects were referred to the Taichung District Prosecutors Office for violations of the Money Laundering Control Act, the Organized Crime Prevention Act, and fraud charges.
FAQ
Who should I contact if I encounter fraud in Taiwan?
You should contact the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline.