Criminal Investigation Bureau Busts Real Estate Mortgage Fraud Ring, Arrests 31, Over NT$120 Million in Losses

The Criminal Investigation Bureau's Central Strike Force announced today that by analyzing the "165 Anti-Fraud Database," they discovered multiple victims defrauded by an investment scam. After victims invested funds on fake platforms, they were further lured into applying for real estate mortgage loans through specific "financing agents" to seek higher profits.

Police found that after deducting high interest, agent fees, service fees, and fictitious "land value increment taxes," victims received less than 80% of the cash. The funds were then handed over to the fraud group's cashiers. Upon investigation, a total of 10 victims were defrauded using the same method, with financial losses amounting to over NT$120 million.

Following the investigation, the Central Strike Force's Fourth Team, in collaboration with the Taichung City Police Department's Criminal Investigation Brigade, Sixth Precinct, and the New Taipei City Police Department's Haishan Precinct, formed a special task force. Under the direction of the Taiwan Taichung District Prosecutors Office, they conducted investigations.

Between August 2025 and January 2026 (Republic of China calendar year), the special task force launched four enforcement operations. They proceeded to arrest the ringleader, a 35-year-old man from New Taipei City, along with loan brokers, land administrators, financiers, cashiers, and fund transfer suspects – a total of 31 individuals – in New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.

Police seized a Porsche (valued at NT$4.18 million), cash totaling NT$83,800, and mobile phones as evidence. They also petitioned the Taiwan Taichung District Court for the seizure of two mortgaged properties belonging to victims (valued at approximately NT$33.6 million).

Investigators discovered that the primary suspect, Mr. Chen, colluded with an overseas fraud group. After obtaining victim lists and contact information, he instructed Mr. Huang, a broker, to find financiers to provide capital. Mr. Luo, a land administrator, was responsible for handling the real estate mortgage loans. Mr. Lin, another broker, then collected various high fees from the victims. Subsequently, they received 10% of the loan amount as a rebate from the fraud group.

Police pointed out that among the 10 victims, a 70-year-old woman from Taoyuan, Ms. Chen, suffered the highest loss, totaling NT$31.32 million from December 2024 to March 2025 through investment fraud. This included a NT$4.5 million housing mortgage loan.

Following police inquiries, the 31 individuals, including Mr. Chen, were transferred to the Taiwan Taichung District Prosecutors Office for investigation on charges including fraud, money laundering control, organized crime prevention, and fraud crime prevention. Mr. Chen and four others were detained by prosecutors upon request. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1150421