Scam Group Uses Translation Software to Remotely Control Foreign Couriers; Hsinchu Police Arrest Mastermind

Hsinchu City - The Hsinchu City Police Department announced today that they have arrested the mastermind of a scam group that used translation software to remotely control foreign couriers. The group tricked victims into handing over bank cards and quickly withdrew their funds. The suspect was apprehended in New Taipei City and has been detained by the court.

According to the police, an elderly man surnamed Hsu received a call from a person impersonating a law enforcement official. Claiming Hsu was involved in a criminal case, the caller threatened that his accounts needed to be 'monitored.' Deceived, Hsu handed over four bank cards. He only discovered his savings were gone two days later when updating his passbook. Investigation revealed that the syndicate intentionally arranged for foreign couriers to follow GPS coordinates to pick up the cards. By using translation apps to bridge the language gap, the couriers could complete the transaction with almost no verbal communication, making it harder for authorities to detect the scheme.

Police analyzed surveillance footage and identified a man surnamed Chou as the leader responsible for coordinating couriers and collecting the illicit funds. Under the direction of the Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office, police ambushed and arrested Chou in the Sanchong District of New Taipei City, seizing mobile phones and laptops as evidence. Chou has been charged with fraud and violations of the Money Laundering Control Act. The Hsinchu District Court has ruled for his detention without visitation as the investigation continues to trace the source of the syndicate.