Changhua County — The Changhua County Police Department reported a major crackdown on fraud-related crimes, apprehending 1,516 suspects between January and November this year. Notably, 355 of those arrested were foreign nationals, with Vietnamese citizens accounting for 274 cases, making them the largest group. However, police also observed a sharp rise in suspects from Malaysia (63) and Singapore (14)—a trend linked to Taiwan’s 30-day visa-free entry policy.
Changhua County Police Chief Chen Ming-jun explained that some fraud groups are targeting foreign visitors, luring them with offers of high-paying jobs or “money-handling assistance,” only to manipulate them into joining illegal operations.
Magic Show Used to Teach Fraud Prevention
To strengthen public awareness, the police invited well-known magician “Xiao Yi” to perform at the Changhua Police Station on the 25th. His magic routine was creatively integrated with lessons on fraud prevention.
Chief Chen and attendees were impressed as Xiao Yi demonstrated how both magic and fraud rely on misdirection, illusion, and psychological manipulation to trick people into believing something false is real.
“Magic works by confusing the senses in just seconds. Fraudsters, on the other hand, spend days or weeks building elaborate online schemes, making it even harder for victims to tell truth from deception,” Xiao Yi warned.
Major Results in Anti-Fraud Operations
According to police data, from January to November:
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326 fraud rings were dismantled, involving 2,072 members
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Seized assets included vehicles, cash, real estate, and cryptocurrency worth over NT$715.52 million
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Police prevented NT$415.53 million in attempted fraud
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Officers blocked more than NT$1.13 billion in suspicious financial transfers
These numbers highlight what Chief Chen described as the “robust and effective” capabilities of the county’s anti-fraud task force.
Sharp Increase in Foreign “Money Mules”
Of the 1,516 arrested suspects:
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355 were foreign nationals (23.4%)
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274 were Vietnamese
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63 were Malaysian
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14 were Singaporean
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315 were men and 40 were women
Chief Chen emphasized that fraud groups commonly use persuasion, fake identities, and emotional manipulation to mislead potential recruits and victims. The rise in foreign involvement shows how syndicates exploit visa-free entry policies and social media platforms to expand their operations.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and verify any suspicious job offers or online interactions, noting that “if a magician can fool the eye in seconds, fraudsters—who spend far more time crafting their traps—can deceive even the most cautious individuals unless we stay alert.”