Scam ring recruiter who lured over 10 victims repatriated to Taiwan

Taipei, Oct. 14 (CNA) A Taiwanese man who allegedly lured more than 10 people into working for a fraud ring in Cambodia has been arrested in Vietnam and repatriated to Taiwan, the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said Tuesday.

The 21-year-old suspect, surnamed Fan (范), was a recruitment leader for a Cambodian fraud syndicate that tricked Taiwanese nationals into the country through fake job advertisements, said CIB International Criminal Affairs Division captain Chen Ssu-han (陳思翰) at a press conference.

Fan traveled to Cambodia in 2022 and took part in telecom fraud operations, later becoming a core member of the group, Chen said.

Rescued victims told Taiwanese authorities that Fan also acted as an enforcer, beating those who disobeyed orders and forcing them to do push-ups or carry heavy buckets as punishment. He even subjected pregnant victims to similar abuse, Chen said.

Victims who wished to leave were reportedly forced to pay ransoms of US$5,000 or over.

The syndicate Fan belonged to was busted in 2023, after which he became wanted by five district prosecutors offices on suspicion of human trafficking. He fled across Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos to avoid capture, according to the CIB.

Fan was apprehended by Vietnamese authorities in July while attempting to enter the country illegally. Following negotiations by the CIB's liaison office in Vietnam, local officials agreed to allow Taiwanese officers to escort him back to Taiwan on Sept. 24, Chen said.

Fan has since been placed in detention after prosecutors' request was approved by the court, Chen added.