Posts offering free gifts on social media may hide fraud. Taiwan's Anti-Fraud 165 Hotline has warned that scammers are using platforms such as Threads to advertise "free smartphones" and other giveaways before directing victims to private conversations on LINE, where they carry out fraudulent schemes involving fake identity and payment verification.

In one recent case, a woman responded to a Threads post claiming to give away a free smartphone. After both parties agreed to complete the transaction through FamilyMart's FamiPort Store-to-Store Delivery Service, the scammer claimed the seller's account had been suspended and asked her to complete "real-name verification" and payment confirmation. Posing as customer service staff, the scammers continued to pressure her into following their instructions.

Believing the transaction was legitimate, the woman completed online bank transfers, mobile payments, purchase transactions, and cardless cash withdrawal procedures. She also sent screenshots of her cardless withdrawal QR code and Taiwan Pay payment code, allowing the scammers to gain access to her funds. She ultimately lost NT$4 million.

The Anti-Fraud 165 Hotline reminds the public that scammers often use free giveaways, limited-time offers, or heavily discounted products to attract victims before requesting identity verification, payment verification, QR codes, or banking information. If anyone asks you to perform financial transactions or provide payment codes, verification codes, or QR codes, stop immediately and verify the situation by calling the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline.