S'porean man arrested in Taiwan over alleged role in scam syndicate
A 22-year-old Singaporean man was arrested in Taiwan on Nov 19 for his alleged involvement in a scam syndicate, the Yilan County Government Police Bureau announced.
The man, surnamed Ye, reportedly entered Taiwan on a social visit pass but subsequently became a “rider” — essentially a “runner” — for the syndicate.
According to Shin Min Daily News, Ye was tasked with collecting money from scam victims in person. He was allegedly caught red-handed retrieving money from a woman.
The victim, a 46-year-old woman, was lured into the scam through an investment advertisement on Facebook. She was then added to a Line group chat where scammers promised her “guaranteed profits.”
The woman reportedly handed over NT$1.22 million (S$50,272) in three separate transactions but received nothing in return.
Realising she had been scammed, the woman filed a police report. Taiwanese police then formed a task force to investigate.
Ye became implicated as the designated “rider” to collect the money from the victim.
During his arrest, police seized several items, including a pink Singapore identity card, a fake contract, a work permit, receipts, and approximately NT$1 million (S$41,247) in cash.
Authorities revealed that Ye, who is ethnically Chinese and fluent in Mandarin, was unemployed and struggling financially. He had initially travelled to Taiwan as a tourist but was allegedly recruited by a local fraud group.
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