3 Vietnamese convicted for fraud in Changhua County

Taipei, Nov. 3 (CNA) Three Vietnamese nationals were sentenced by the Changhua District Court to prison terms of up to 12 years and two months for participating in a fraud group, according to a court verdict issued Thursday.

The group deceived victims through fake investment and dating platforms as well as false department store promotions, tricking them into wiring money to designated accounts.

A man surnamed Đinh and a man surnamed Tô were recruited as "money mules," with each earning about NT$12,000 (US$389) for every NT$1 million withdrawn, the court said.

Meanwhile, a man surnamed Phan delivered bank cards used to withdraw the illicitly obtained funds to the other two, and carried out daily cash collection tasks for NT$3,000 to NT$4,000 a day.

The three suspects came to Taiwan as migrant workers but later absconded from their contracted workplaces.

According to the court, Đinh was implicated in 65 criminal counts involving more than 200 cash withdrawals, while Tô was implicated in four counts and Phan in 35. All three men confessed to their crimes, the court said.

After taking into account their lack of prior convictions and confessions, the court sentenced Đinh to 12 years and two months, Phan to eight years, and Tô to two years in prison.

The court also ruled that the three should be deported after completing their sentences.

The Changhua District Prosecutors Office said it originally requested sentences of up to 30 years, based on the principle of "one crime, one punishment," and will decide whether to file an appeal.