The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) has warned of a resurgence in scams that lure victims with claims of large inheritances. Fraud syndicates often impersonate relatives, lawyers, or scriveners, falsely claiming to handle the inheritance of valuable urban land or property. Citing urgent needs to pay inheritance taxes, registration fees, or service charges, they ask victims to lend money and promise substantial rewards after the property transfer, which in reality is a carefully orchestrated scam.
Police reported that a man in northern Taiwan met a woman via a messaging app last year who claimed she needed funds to process an inheritance transfer. She repeatedly borrowed money, promising generous returns once the process was complete. Trusting her, the victim handed over funds in person, accumulating losses exceeding NT$30 million within a few months. Only after discovering her prior fraud record and failing to recover the money did he realize he had been deceived and report the case.
The CIB emphasized that legitimate inheritance procedures follow strict legal processes and succession rules. Related taxes and fees are normally deducted from the estate or paid by legal heirs, and never require borrowing money from unrelated individuals. Any mention of “advance payments,” “borrowing money for transfers,” or “profit sharing after completion” should be treated as clear signs of fraud.
Police urge the public to verify the identities of anyone claiming to be lawyers, scriveners, or bank staff through official channels, rather than using contact details provided in messages. Anyone with doubts should immediately call the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline or contact the police to avoid severe financial losses.
