With the pandemic ongoing, many people have been spending a lot more time on the internet. That''s led to a surge in online scams. According to statistics from the Criminal Investigation Bureau, there were more than 2,300 cases of investment scams in the first half of 2021. In most of those cases, online fraudsters played the part of a potential employer or romantic partner, to trick people into buying fake investment products. Surprisingly, victims of this type of fraud tend to be adults in their 20s and 30s, and many are highly educated. How did scammers convince them to part with their cash? Tonight, in our Sunday special report, victims come forward to speak with us, and to tell you how to identify a scam.
Thirty-nine-year-old Hsiao Chun is a standard nine-to-five office worker. After being single for most of her 30s, she downloaded a dating app in early 2021 and finally found love.
Hsiao Chun (pseudonym)
Investment scam victim
My first impression of him was that he had a sunny personality. He’d moved to China as a child and returned to Taiwan to start his own business.
At first, Hsiao Chun wondered why a handsome, well-heeled man like him was interested in an ordinary woman like herself. But he charmed her with his sincerity and put her anxieties at ease.
Hsiao Chun (pseudonym)
Investment scam victim
He messaged me at mealtimes like clockwork, asking if I’d eaten yet. He asked if work was busy, if I’d had a break, if I was staying hydrated, things like that. He acted just like a man does when he’s courting a woman – he inquired after my well-being. He said things like, “The vibe you give off feels perfect to me.” He emphasized that my looks didn’t have a bearing on that vibe.
Hsiao Chun texted him day after day, and found herself falling in love. Although they had yet to video chat or make plans to meet, she felt sure that he was Mr. Right. As time went on, they began to use endearments with one another.
Scam artist (actual voice recording)
Baby, can I call you later, I’m driving.
Hsiao Chun (pseudonym)
Investment scam victim
Later on, he wanted to make voice calls. Text messages don’t convey emotion, but over voice calls, you can immediately hear the emotions of the other person. These cards are from when he tried to win my trust. He actually sent me flowers twice, along with these cards. It made me feel as if we were already inseparable lovers.
His outpouring of affection reeled her in, closer and closer. Hsiao Chun began to secretly plan their future as a couple. But it was around this time that money made an entrance into their relationship.
Hsiao Chun (pseudonym)
Investment scam victim
Afterward, he messaged me and said, “My wife, look at this, I recently made this investment.” He showed me a receipt that displayed how much money he had made. In a leading manner, he asked me if I wanted to make an investment together. I was never really clear on the details of the investment model. All I knew was sometimes you’d buy big and sometimes you’d buy small. He made a point of telling me, “You are special. This opportunity is one in a million. You have this opportunity now, and you’re thinking of not seizing it. Now I am willing to guide you, which seems to mean that I see you as a future partner.”
Hsiao Chun was skeptical about the lottery website he showed her. But to secure their future together, she put down an investment of NT$5,000. She thought she’d end up losing it, but was delighted to receive a profit of more than NT$4,200. After seeing that sum in her bank account, she began to believe that the website was legitimate. She invested more and more of her money at her boyfriend’s continued encouragement.
Hsiao Chun (pseudonym)
Investment scam victim
He told me that if I put up capital on this investment website, I’d get some bonus cash. The website was also running a promotion for couples, which involved investing in amounts that are symbolically relevant to couples. The first time, I invested about NT$3 million.
Transaction by transaction, Hsiao Chun sent years of her savings to the investment website. Meanwhile, a woman in her city was falling for a different investment scam.
Hsuan Hsuan (pseudonym)
Investment scam victim
After being placed on unpaid leave, I went on Facebook to look for part-time jobs. One ad was recruiting for order processing staff. The hours were flexible and the job seemed very attractive. You could earn money right at home, making NT$200, NT$300, NT$500 a day. I thought that would be a nice bit of pocket change, so I made an inquiry via a mobile messaging app.
Hsuan Hsuan (pseudonym)
Investment scam victim
Hello. May I ask if this role is remote or office-based?
Scam artist (dramatization)
Let me briefly g