Changhua, January 15, 2026
Authorities in Changhua successfully stopped a 70-year-old local man from losing NT$500,000 to a suspected cross-border romance scam. The elderly man, living alone, had planned to travel to Vietnam to pursue a relationship and discuss marriage.
The incident came to light when bank staff at the Tucu Branch of the Hemei Township Farmers’ Association noticed unusual behavior as the man attempted to withdraw a large sum of money. Concerned that he might be targeted by fraud, the bank immediately alerted the police.
Officers from the Tucu Police Station were on patrol and promptly responded to the alert. Upon arrival, they spoke with the man, who claimed that a friend, identified as Mr. Xin, had introduced him to a woman in Vietnam and encouraged him to prepare NT$500,000 for travel and related expenses. However, when police asked for more details about Mr. Xin, the man’s story proved inconsistent.
Further verification with the man’s eldest son revealed that Mr. Xin had passed away years ago, exposing the situation as a likely scam. Police then contacted the man’s daughter-in-law and explained common tactics used in international romance fraud. Initially, the man insisted that his intentions were genuine and avoided discussing the purpose of the withdrawal.
After careful explanation and persuasion from both the police and family members, the elderly man ultimately decided not to withdraw the money. He returned home safely accompanied by his daughter-in-law, preventing a significant financial loss.
Police and bank staff worked together to block the NT$500,000 transaction, highlighting the effectiveness of early intervention. Authorities warned that scams often exploit “overseas marriage” or “international dating” schemes that request advance payments. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and verify information before transferring funds in such cases.