Taichung City (September 19, 2025)— Authorities in Taichung have dismantled a large-scale telecom fraud ring that operated under the guise of fake prosecutors and police, resulting in the arrest of 25 suspects. Investigators revealed that the group exploited more than 4,000 mobile numbers, scamming at least 250 people and causing financial losses estimated at NT$500 million.
According to Wu Bokuan, captain of the Taichung City Criminal Police Brigade’s investigation team, the scheme was spearheaded by a 30-year-old man surnamed Zhang. Zhang managed a small telecom business and for years had been acquiring single-use phone numbers at NT$1,500 to NT$4,000 each, reselling them to scam syndicates at up to NT$10,000. These numbers were then used to contact unsuspecting victims through fraudulent calls and phishing messages, including fake police inspections and bogus investment schemes.
Investigators discovered that Zhang’s operation was not limited to local dealings. He had allegedly partnered with overseas scam centers and domestic call centers, building a complete network that supplied “human-portable” numbers to fraud groups. The operation extended across multiple roles—control chiefs, system providers, money couriers, drivers, and low-level recruits. Illicit earnings were funneled through virtual currencies and ATM deposits, creating a complex money laundering chain.
Police and prosecutors conducted three separate raids in January, April, and July this year. Seized evidence included one DMT device, 35 mobile phones, SIM and rental cards, Thai network cards, five vehicles, and NT$2.14 million in illicit cash. Investigators noted that the structure and sophistication of this syndicate mark a significant escalation in fraud crimes, evolving from small-scale scams into a cross-border, organized industry.
Following questioning, Zhang, along with his associates—including telecom staff, bank employees, and computer room operators—was transferred to the Taichung District Prosecutors Office. Six key suspects, including Zhang, have been placed under detention without access to outside contact as the probe into fraud, money laundering, and organized crime continues.
