Authorities said they have repatriated from China a man named Yu Chin-cheng (余進成) who allegedly operated a real-estate investment scheme by posing as a tycoon linked to an upscale Taipei hotel.
Authorities said that as they closed in on him last month, Yu left for China.
After being notified by Taiwanese investigators, Chinese police apprehended Yu in Zhengzhou City in Henan Province on Tuesday last week, and he was repatriated this weekend.
Yu’s arrest and repatriation have been hailed by the government as another successful cooperation under the Cross-Strait Joint Crime-Fighting and Judicial Mutual Assistance Agreement signed in 2009.
Yu reportedly attracted investors to fake real-estate developments, allegedly taking in more than NT$1 billion (US$32.7 million) over the years, by presenting himself as a major shareholder in the five-star Regent Taipei hotel.
Yu has rented an expensive executive suite at the Regent Taipei for the past 10 years, spending lavishly, being driven in a chauffeured Mercedes-Benz and buying expensive gifts for associates.
His alleged victims include company owners and organized crime figures who were swayed by his extravagant lifestyle.
Yu paid debts to investors with cash from new victims, officials said last month.
Yu allegedly defrauded two men of a total of NT$63 million, with Yu’s daughter picking up the money, investigators said.
A police spokesperson said a gang boss who was defrauded told authorities about Yu’s activities and where he was likely hiding.
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