Chiayi City Police Department’s First Precinct recently cracked a “fake prosecutor and police scam,” successfully preventing a woman from losing NT$1.13 million. The scam group impersonated an “investigation captain” and claimed the victim was involved in a criminal case and needed to hand over her property. The nearly 60-year-old woman was tricked into sending four bank cards and a large sum of cash. A scam runner even posed as a bank employee to collect the cash at her home. Fortunately, a taxi driver noticed somethin
According to the police investigation, the scam group first called the woman claiming her identity had been used to apply for a bank loan. They then contacted her via LINE, impersonating a prosecutor and an investigation captain, and told her she was involved in a criminal case. They demanded she hand over her bank cards “for police safekeeping.” Believing them, she mailed the cards, and her account was immediately drained of NT$1.74 million. The scammers then tried to further deceive her by asking for NT$1.13 million in cash.
After receiving the report, the police formed a special task force. They discovered that after the scam runner withdrew the cash, it was immediately handed over to a nearby accomplice, the so-called "cash collector." When police followed them to an under-bridge park for questioning, the man tried to flee and attempted to destroy his phone to eliminate evidence. He was ultimately subdued and arrested on the spot, with both stolen money and tools of the crime confiscated.
At the same time, another scam runner left in a taxi. Police continued tracking his movements and intercepted him just as he was about to board a train. They confiscated his mobile phone used in the crime. The task force then visited the woman’s home to explain the situation and confirm the suspect’s identity. In shock, the woman said, “He told me if I didn’t cooperate, something bad would happen to me! Who should I believe?” Police comforted her patiently and helped her complete the report process.
Currently, the two suspects have been handed over to the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office on charges of fraud. Police continue to trace the masterminds behind the scam and investigate the money flow. Meanwhile, the taxi driver who reported the case has been nominated for a NT$50,000 reward under the National Police Agency’s “Hundred Cuts Scam Buster Program,” recognizing the importance of civilian involvement in fraud prevention.
The police remind the public that judicial and law enforcement authorities will never ask for cash or bank cards for any legal case, nor will they send anyone to collect money at your home. If you receive a suspicious call, immediately call the anti-fraud hotline 165 or dial 110 to verify and avoid falling into a scam trap.
