Taichung Man Nearly Becomes Fraud Dummy Account Holder After Attempting to Mail ATM Card Hidden in Shoes
Police in Taichung City intercepted a young man who was attempting to mail an ATM card and password hidden inside a pair of shoes. The man, who was seeking a loan, had been deceived by a fraud group into believing the card was needed for an "approval" process. Officers explained the scam, preventing him from becoming a victim and a potential accomplice in financial crimes.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 16:46
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 17:02 (15 min after Published)
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(Central News Agency, reporter Hao Xue-qing, Taichung, May 12) Police in Taichung City discovered a man preparing to mail a package late at night during a recent patrol. He claimed it was a pair of shoes, but officers, suspecting something amiss, found an ATM card and password hidden within. They successfully prevented the man from becoming a dummy account holder for a fraud group.
Taichung City Police Sixth Precinct explained today that officers from the Xitun Police Station were on a late-night patrol recently when they noticed a man inside a shipping store preparing to send a package. They approached to inquire, and the man initially stated he was sending shoes. However, when an officer casually asked if he was sending an ATM card, mentioning that "many scams involve telling people to hide cards in packages and mail them," the man confessed he was indeed sending an ATM card.
Officers immediately inspected the package and found a pair of shoes inside. Hidden within the shoes was an ATM card, packaged in a red envelope. The envelope was even marked with a bank account number and password.
Further investigation revealed that the 20-year-old man, surnamed Liang, stated he wanted to apply for a loan. He was deceived by unknown individuals who used persuasive tactics, claiming he needed to mail his ATM card for "review." They told him the loan amount would only be disbursed to his designated account after the review was complete. Believing this, Liang followed their instructions, hiding the ATM card in his shoes to mail it.
Police immediately explained the common methods used by fraud groups to Liang. They warned him that allowing others to use his ATM card and password could easily lead to him becoming a dummy account holder. This could result in his account being used by the fraud group for scams or money laundering, potentially violating anti-money laundering laws, with severe consequences.
After the police's thorough explanation, the man finally realized the truth. He abandoned his intention to mail the package on the spot and expressed his gratitude to the police for their timely reminder. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150512
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FAQ
What happened in Taichung City?
Police in Taichung City intercepted a man who was attempting to mail an ATM card and password hidden inside a pair of shoes. He was being scammed into providing his card for a fake loan approval process.
How did the police discover the scam?
Officers on patrol noticed a man preparing to mail a package late at night. When questioned, he initially claimed it was shoes, but under further questioning, he admitted to hiding an ATM card inside.
Why was the man sending his ATM card?
He was trying to get a loan and was told by the fraudsters that he needed to send his ATM card for an "approval" process before the loan money would be disbursed.
What are the dangers of becoming a dummy account holder?
Becoming a dummy account holder means your account can be used by fraudsters for illegal activities like scams and money laundering, potentially leading to serious legal consequences, including violations of anti-money laundering laws.
What was the outcome of the incident?
The police explained the scam to the man, who then realized he was being deceived. He abandoned his plan to mail the card and expressed gratitude to the police for preventing him from becoming a victim.