How a Taipei Elderly Woman Fell Victim to Celebrity Cryptocurrency Investment Scam and Lost NT$30 Million

A 71-year-old grandmother in Taipei fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam orchestrated under the guise of celebrity endorsement. Mrs. Peng, lured by an advertisement impersonating financial program host Chen Wen-Qian, invested over 30 million Taiwan dollars before realizing she had been defrauded.

Victim of Celebrity Impersonation Scam Loses Over 30 Million Taiwan Dollars; Reports Case to Police

Mrs. Peng encountered a virtual currency investment advertisement featuring a fake Chen Wen-Qian on the internet. She joined a LINE group, where promises of easy profits were made upon payment. Believing the scheme to be genuine, Mrs. Peng remitted money nine times and engaged in one face-to-face transaction.

In February, Mrs. Peng attempted to withdraw her purported profits, only to be asked for a "profit-sharing fee" of six million dollars. Sensing something amiss, she reported the case to the police, realizing she had incurred a loss exceeding 30 million Taiwan dollars.

Police Arrest Suspects in Celebrity Impersonation Scam; Emphasize Challenge of Recovering Defrauded Funds

Following Mrs. Peng's report, the police orchestrated a sting operation, leading to the arrest of 22-year-old Xu, who arrived to collect the profit-sharing fee. Xu divulged information about his 31-year-old accomplice, Wang. Both suspects were apprehended, with police seizing cash and narcotics from their residence.

Xu and Wang have been charged with various offenses and detained pending further investigation. Authorities emphasize the difficulty of recovering defrauded funds, stressing the need for continued investigation into money and cryptocurrency flows.

Surge in Celebrity Impersonation Scams Sparks Concern; Public Urged to Beware of Fake Investment Fraud

Celebrity impersonation scams, including those involving Chen Wen-Qian, Bai Bing-Bing, and Yu Mei-Ren, have become increasingly prevalent. Statistics reveal a surge in fake investment fraud cases, totaling 11,405 last year, resulting in substantial financial losses. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution regarding investment information on social media and celebrity endorsements, advising immediate reporting of suspicious activities to the Anti-Fraud Hotline.

Source : 文茜的世界周報 FB