Hsinchu County, Taiwan — January 3, 2026
A man surnamed Cheng has been sentenced by the Hsinchu District Court after attempting to defraud a jewelry shop by selling counterfeit gold accessories, only months after completing a sentence in a separate drug-related case. The court imposed a three-month prison term for attempted fraud and ordered the confiscation of all fake gold items seized during the investigation.
According to the court ruling, Cheng was previously convicted of violating the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act and received a three-month prison sentence, which was later converted to a fine and fully paid in November 2024. Despite serving his penalty, Cheng reoffended shortly afterward.
Court records state that on an evening in February 2025, Cheng went to a jewelry store in Hsinchu County wearing several gold-plated necklaces and rings. He also carried a cardboard box containing multiple gold-plated bracelets. Cheng took one bracelet from the box and told the shop owner it had been purchased from a legitimate jewelry store and that he intended to sell it.
The shop owner, relying on professional experience, immediately identified the bracelet as a gold-plated imitation and refused to buy it. The incident was reported to police, prompting an investigation by the Zhudong Police Precinct.
In March 2025, police obtained a court-issued search warrant and searched Cheng’s residence. Officers seized a large quantity of counterfeit gold items, including 53 circular bracelets, 17 U-shaped bracelets, 14 chains, 24 earrings, 48 necklaces, eight rings, along with various decorative objects and religious ornaments.
In its judgment, the court said Cheng failed to seek lawful employment and instead attempted to gain money through deception. Although no financial loss was suffered due to the vigilance of the shop owner, the judge stressed that the conduct was unacceptable. Taking into account Cheng’s confession, educational background, family and work circumstances, and his classification as having a moderate physical and mental disability, the court sentenced him to three months in prison, with the option to commute the sentence to a fine, and ordered all counterfeit items confiscated.