Taipei, Taiwan — December 15, 2025
Taipei police arrested a 56-year-old man early Monday morning after catching him withdrawing cash from an ATM during an anti-fraud operation targeting scam couriers.
Officers from the Wufenpu Police Station of the Xinyi Precinct were conducting routine patrols along Section 5 of Zhongxiao East Road shortly after midnight when they noticed a man wearing a baseball cap repeatedly using an ATM inside a convenience store. Finding his behavior suspicious, police approached the individual for questioning.
During the inspection, the man refused to properly identify himself and claimed to be a physician working for an international tribunal under the United Nations. Police ran a background check through the national law enforcement system and confirmed that the suspect, identified by the surname Liao, was a wanted fugitive sought by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office.
Authorities said Liao had previously been convicted for selling counterfeit medicine while posing as a “miracle doctor.” At the time of his arrest, police seized NT$10,000 in suspected scam proceeds and two bank cards. He was taken into custody on the spot for allegedly acting as a scam courier and for violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and was referred to prosecutors for further investigation.
Police investigations revealed that eight years ago, Liao operated a clinic in Taipei’s Xinyi District under the name “Luke Hall,” where he falsely claimed to possess divine healing powers. He promoted a self-styled “hand laser” qigong therapy that he said could cure various illnesses and sold a product marketed as a highly effective “Green Miracle” liquid together with his wife. He was later sentenced to two and a half years in prison for fraud and the manufacture and sale of counterfeit drugs.
However, Liao failed to report for sentence enforcement three years ago and was subsequently placed on the wanted list.
Police also contacted the owner of one of the seized bank cards, who told officers that the suspect had deceived them by pretending to be a doctor and an international judicial official, convincing the victim to hand over their ATM card.
Taipei police reminded the public that fraud syndicates often impersonate doctors, judicial authorities, or international organization officials to gain trust and carry out scams. Citizens are urged never to provide bank cards or assist others in withdrawing money. Anyone with doubts is advised to contact the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline or call 110 immediately for verification.