New Taipei towing scam implicated in concealing prices and threatening impoundment; 8 individuals, including main culprits, indicted
In New Taipei, a towing scam group led by Xu and Cai was exposed for exploiting distressed drivers by concealing prices, charging exorbitant fees, and threatening vehicle impoundment if payment was refused. Eight individuals have been indicted under the Organized Crime Prevention Act and other charges, with prosecutors seeking heavy penalties for the main culprits.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 18:26
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 19:02 (35 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 02:16 (7h 14m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tsao Ya-yen, New Taipei, 13th) The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office has uncovered a towing scam group led by Xu and Cai, who allegedly took advantage of distressed drivers whose vehicles had broken down by concealing prices, threatening vehicle impoundment, and other means to demand exorbitant towing fees. Prosecutors have indicted eight individuals, including the main culprits, on charges including violations of the Organized Crime Prevention Act, fraud, and intimidation, and are seeking heavy penalties for the main culprits.
New Taipei District Prosecutors Office pointed out that Xu and Cai were originally employees of "Xiao Cui Professional Roadside Assistance." In September 2024, they left to start their own business, recruiting six other members to serve as tow truck drivers, assistants, and debt collectors.
Prosecutors investigated their criminal methods: the group would first extensively place keyword advertisements online. When citizens contacted them for towing services due to vehicle breakdowns or accidents, they would deliberately provide ambiguous quotes, ask consumers to connect via LINE, and then send extremely long, complex, and unreasonably priced quotes. They exploited the urgent and anxious situation of the public in an accident, inducing them to hastily agree. After the towing was completed, the group would demand exorbitant fees, often tens of thousands or even over NT$100,000.
Prosecutors stated that if victims refused to pay, group members would threaten them with phrases like "forcibly impounding the vehicle," "taking it to a parking lot," and "the vehicle will be sold or scrapped." They would also dispatch so-called "business" or "legal" personnel to pressure and surround the victims, forcing them to pay. Currently, at least five victims have been found to have been charged high towing fees ranging from NT$12,000 to NT$70,000, and there were other cases where the attempt was unsuccessful because the victims reported to the police.
Prosecutors recently concluded the investigation and indicted eight individuals on charges of violating the Organized Crime Prevention Act, fraud, and intimidation. Considering that Xu and Cai were the masterminds of the towing scam group and that there were many victims, severely harming social transaction order, and Cai denied his involvement without remorse after the crime, prosecutors recommend that the court impose a heavy sentence of six years and two months in prison for leading a criminal organization and committing composite fraud; and three years and ten months in prison for leading and directing a criminal organization.
As for Xu, because he admitted to the crime during the investigation and explained the operations of the criminal organization, prosecutors recommend a sentence of one year and ten months in prison for leading and directing a criminal organization. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150513
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(Central News Agency reporter Tsao Ya-yen, New Taipei, 13th) The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office has uncovered a towing scam group led by Xu and Cai, who allegedly took advantage of distressed drivers whose vehicles had broken down by concealing prices, threatening vehicle impoundment, and other means to demand exorbitant towing fees. Prosecutors have indicted eight individuals, including the main culprits, on charges including violations of the Organized Crime Prevention Act, fraud, and intimidation, and are seeking heavy penalties for the main culprits.
New Taipei District Prosecutors Office pointed out that Xu and Cai were originally employees of "Xiao Cui Professional Roadside Assistance." In September 2024, they left to start their own business, recruiting six other members to serve as tow truck drivers, assistants, and debt collectors.
Prosecutors investigated their criminal methods: the group would first extensively place keyword advertisements online. When citizens contacted them for towing services due to vehicle breakdowns or accidents, they would deliberately provide ambiguous quotes, ask consumers to connect via LINE, and then send extremely long, complex, and unreasonably priced quotes. They exploited the urgent and anxious situation of the public in an accident, inducing them to hastily agree. After the towing was completed, the group would demand exorbitant fees, often tens of thousands or even over NT$100,000.
Prosecutors stated that if victims refused to pay, group members would threaten them with phrases like "forcibly impounding the vehicle," "taking it to a parking lot," and "the vehicle will be sold or scrapped." They would also dispatch so-called "business" or "legal" personnel to pressure and surround the victims, forcing them to pay. Currently, at least five victims have been found to have been charged high towing fees ranging from NT$12,000 to NT$70,000, and there were other cases where the attempt was unsuccessful because the victims reported to the police.
Prosecutors recently concluded the investigation and indicted eight individuals on charges of violating the Organized Crime Prevention Act, fraud, and intimidation. Considering that Xu and Cai were the masterminds of the towing scam group and that there were many victims, severely harming social transaction order, and Cai denied his involvement without remorse after the crime, prosecutors recommend that the court impose a heavy sentence of six years and two months in prison for leading a criminal organization and committing composite fraud; and three years and ten months in prison for leading and directing a criminal organization.
As for Xu, because he admitted to the crime during the investigation and explained the operations of the criminal organization, prosecutors recommend a sentence of one year and ten months in prison for leading and directing a criminal organization. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150513
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you provide is the power to protect press freedom.
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Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.