Man arrested in cash payout scam, victim loses over NT$3 million

Taipei, Nov. 5 (CNA) A man in Taoyuan has been arrested for allegedly scamming a woman out of more than NT$3 million (US$97,000) by impersonating postal and police officials in a scheme linked to Taiwan's newly launched NT$10,000 universal cash payout program, prosecutors said Wednesday.

● Online registration for NT$10,000 cash handouts opens

The Shilin District Prosecutors' Office said it has filed a request to detain the suspect, surnamed Chang (張), after questioning.

Chang faces charges including fraud and money laundering, prosecutors said, adding that the suspect poses a high risk of colluding with accomplices or repeating similar crimes.

According to investigators, Chang first contacted the woman last month, posing as a postal worker and claiming that her identity had been used to apply for the government cash payout.

He then impersonated a police officer, falsely warning that her bank account was involved in a money-laundering investigation, and instructed her to transfer funds to an account number he provided.

Authorities said the 25-year-old acted as a "money mule" according to a scripted scheme, alternating between fake postal and police roles to instill fear and manipulate the victim. Prosecutors warned that additional victims may exist, and investigations are ongoing.

Officials urged the public to exercise caution. Anyone receiving suspicious calls, messages, or notifications related to the cash payout program should not follow instructions or provide bank their bank details.

Verification as to whether warnings issued by individuals claiming to be officials are genuine can be made via the National Police Agency's 165 anti-fraud hotline or the Ministry of Finance's 1988 hotline.