TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese authorities are grappling with a surge in online scams that have led to staggering financial losses. Between March 9 and 15, victims lost NT$1.46 billion (around US$46.7 million), according to the National Police Agency (NPA, 內政部警政署). Officials recorded 3,790 cases during this period, with fraudulent investment schemes accounting for the lion's share of losses, totaling NT$796.39 million (US$25.5 million).
March 12 saw the highest single-day losses, reaching NT$288.06 million (US$9.2 million) across 596 reported cases. Fake investment schemes remained the most prevalent, followed by romance scams, which exploited emotional vulnerabilities and resulted in NT$181.73 million (US$5.8 million) in losses. Other common scams included fraudulent buyers, fake lottery notifications costing victims NT$29.11 million (US$932,600), and online shopping scams amounting to NT$18.17 million (US$582,900).
To combat the rising tide of fraud, the "165 Anti-Fraud Dashboard" (165打詐儀錶板) offers crucial guidance to the public. The platform urges individuals to invest only through legitimate channels and to exercise caution with unfamiliar investment apps or suspicious links. Protecting sensitive personal information, such as online banking passwords and bank account details, is paramount. The dashboard recommends using established third-party platforms for online shopping and encourages immediate contact with the 165 anti-fraud hotline if any suspicious activity is detected. Continued vigilance remains essential in safeguarding personal finances.