TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Twelve people were arrested in a scam targeting seniors who were persuaded to buy non-existent columbarium urns, the Intellectual Property Rights Investigation Corps said Thursday.
Investigators said 32-year-old Lee (李) was defrauded by a Hsinchu-based gang that duped more than 10 others over four years. The group collected payments for urns that did not exist, issuing fake certificates, according to CNA.
They then demanded additional charges labeled as “storage” or “notary” fees. The total illicit proceeds exceeded NT$40 million (US$1.26 million).
Authorities arrested five suspects, including Lee, in October, followed by seven more in December in Taipei and Taichung. Police seized NT$1.38 million (US$40,000) in cash, contracts, inventory forms, work notebooks, client data, and scam manuals.
The suspects were referred to Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office on charges including organized crime, fraud, and money laundering. Five individuals, including Lee, were placed in custody with court approval.
