TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) is investigating 27 suspects in a NT$400 million (US$12.2 million) investment fraud case involving a celebrity and foreign company.
The scammers impersonated investment celebrity Lai Xian-zheng (賴憲政) and a Japanese securities firm, per CNA. The more than 38 victims lost over NT$400 million.
The CIB received a report in September 2023 from a victim who saw a Facebook ad that promised large profits for investment. He joined a Line group under Lai’s name.
He was instructed to download a fake app that appeared to be from a trusted Japanese securities company and transfer money to a designated bank account. However, when the transfer was complete, the scammers stole the money, and the victim filed a police report.
During the investigation, the CIB found the scammers were led by a 34-year-old man surnamed Liang (梁) and a 29-year-old man surnamed Zhang (張). Operating out of a rented apartment in Hsinchu, the two men recruited individuals to open fake company accounts and withdraw the stolen investment money in exchange for a 1% commission.
The scammers defrauded individuals from May to December 2023. Among those who suffered the most was a retired Kaohsiung woman who lost NT$100 million.
The CIB formed a task force that caught 27 suspects in Taipei, New Taipei, and Taichung City. They were sent to the New Taipei Prosecutors Office for investigation on charges of fraud, money laundering, and organized crime.
