Online Fake Auctions Rampant, New Taipei Arrests 137 Involved in Ticket and Card Scams in Q1
The New Taipei City Criminal Investigation Corps announced that online fake auctions are showing an organized trend. From January to March this year, 135 cases involving 137 individuals were investigated for selling fake popular concert tickets or game cards. A decrease of approximately NT$624 million in property losses has been reported, indicating the effectiveness of anti-fraud efforts.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 17:56
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 18:02 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 21:17 (3h 14m after Collected)
Central News Agency (Reporter Huang Hsu-sheng, New Taipei, 24th) The New Taipei City Criminal Investigation Corps today stated that online fake auctions are showing an organized trend. Statistics show that from January to March this year, a total of 135 cases were investigated, leading to the arrest of 137 individuals suspected of selling popular concert tickets or game cards online, with roles divided for advertising, cash withdrawal by mules, and money laundering.
The city police's criminal investigation corps today announced that in conjunction with the Ministry of the Interior's National Police Agency, they carried out special raids targeting online fake auctions. Through big data analysis of the 165 anti-fraud platform, they identified fraud methods, located suspects through matching and technological investigation, and traced the sources and financial flows of fraud groups. From January to March 115 (Republic of China calendar), a total of 135 cases were investigated, 137 individuals were arrested, and the operational chain of fraud groups was dismantled.
Zhang Hui-ci, head of the economic section of the city's criminal investigation corps, said in a phone interview with the Central News Agency that this year marks the 30th anniversary of a well-known Japanese game, which has created a boom in the card market, but has also become a target for fraud groups. Fraudsters lure buyers with unusually low prices and then demand private transfers.
Zhang Hui-ci analyzed that in the past, similar online auction frauds were mostly carried out by individuals, but recently there has been a trend towards organized groups. According to big data and analysis of similar cases, fraud groups have detailed divisions of labor. They first open accounts on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram using overseas IPs to offer group purchases of popular cards or sell concert tickets, then exploit buyers' desperation for tickets to urge payment to reserve goods.
Zhang Hui-ci said that fraud groups also provide unknown ticket collection serial numbers or deliberately circumvent platform mechanisms, obtaining illicit gains through private transactions. Domestic fraud group members are divided into roles such as bookkeepers for dummy accounts, card collection chains, cash withdrawal mules, money laundering centers, and virtual currency exchangers.
The city's criminal investigation corps stated that currently, based on financial flow tracing, they can only investigate domestic criminal groups, forming a breakpoint in investigating overseas crimes. The public should choose secure official platforms or opt for face-to-face transactions when purchasing popular items and carefully verify seller information.
Statistics from the New Taipei City Police Department show that in the first quarter of 115 (Republic of China calendar), there were 6,431 fraud cases, a decrease of 651 cases compared to 7,082 cases in the same period of 114 (Republic of China calendar); property losses decreased by approximately NT$624 million, indicating effectiveness in combating fraud. (Edited by Lin Shu-hui) 1150424
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Unauthorized reproduction, public broadcast, public transmission, or use of the text, images, and videos on this website is prohibited.
The city police's criminal investigation corps today announced that in conjunction with the Ministry of the Interior's National Police Agency, they carried out special raids targeting online fake auctions. Through big data analysis of the 165 anti-fraud platform, they identified fraud methods, located suspects through matching and technological investigation, and traced the sources and financial flows of fraud groups. From January to March 115 (Republic of China calendar), a total of 135 cases were investigated, 137 individuals were arrested, and the operational chain of fraud groups was dismantled.
Zhang Hui-ci, head of the economic section of the city's criminal investigation corps, said in a phone interview with the Central News Agency that this year marks the 30th anniversary of a well-known Japanese game, which has created a boom in the card market, but has also become a target for fraud groups. Fraudsters lure buyers with unusually low prices and then demand private transfers.
Zhang Hui-ci analyzed that in the past, similar online auction frauds were mostly carried out by individuals, but recently there has been a trend towards organized groups. According to big data and analysis of similar cases, fraud groups have detailed divisions of labor. They first open accounts on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram using overseas IPs to offer group purchases of popular cards or sell concert tickets, then exploit buyers' desperation for tickets to urge payment to reserve goods.
Zhang Hui-ci said that fraud groups also provide unknown ticket collection serial numbers or deliberately circumvent platform mechanisms, obtaining illicit gains through private transactions. Domestic fraud group members are divided into roles such as bookkeepers for dummy accounts, card collection chains, cash withdrawal mules, money laundering centers, and virtual currency exchangers.
The city's criminal investigation corps stated that currently, based on financial flow tracing, they can only investigate domestic criminal groups, forming a breakpoint in investigating overseas crimes. The public should choose secure official platforms or opt for face-to-face transactions when purchasing popular items and carefully verify seller information.
Statistics from the New Taipei City Police Department show that in the first quarter of 115 (Republic of China calendar), there were 6,431 fraud cases, a decrease of 651 cases compared to 7,082 cases in the same period of 114 (Republic of China calendar); property losses decreased by approximately NT$624 million, indicating effectiveness in combating fraud. (Edited by Lin Shu-hui) 1150424
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Unauthorized reproduction, public broadcast, public transmission, or use of the text, images, and videos on this website is prohibited.