Thu, May 07, 2026 page8

• EDITORIAL: Preparing people to prevent fraud

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  A man who was arrested for fraud and jumped bail in 2018 was rearrested in December last year in Pingtung County, where it was discovered he had reoffended — highlighting the persistent challenge fraud poses in Taiwan.

  Lai Kuan-chai (賴冠翟), 44, had previously accrued more than NT$100 million (US$3.18 million) through fraudulent activities and was again implicated in a 2023 fake investment scheme that netted more than NT$20 million, police said.

  Lai created a false image of high socioeconomic status by using professional titles and photographs with politicians to build trust, allowing him to deceive even normally cautious people. Police said that the success of his schemes relied heavily on psychological manipulation.

  Lai’s case is demonstrative of a broader pattern in Taiwan: Those who engage in fraud are often not deterred by punishment, while public education campaigns continue to fall short, as many cases could be avoided if people were better equipped to recognize warning signs.

  Punishments for fraud have already become significantly stricter, particularly for the most egregious cases. Under the Criminal Code, basic fraud is punishable by up to five years in prison, while aggravated or technology-related fraud carries a jail sentence of up to seven years. Amendments introduced last year further increased penalties for major fraud cases, with sentences ranging from three to 10 years for amounts between NT$1 million and NT$10 million, five to 12 years for NT$10 million to NT$100 million, and a minimum of seven years for cases exceeding NT$100 million, along with substantial fines.

  In one major case last year, suspects defrauded more than 5,000 people of approximately NT$15.7 billion through a large-scale fake investment scheme, and the ringleader was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

  Despite the higher fines and tougher penalties, authorities have reported tens of thousands of cases per month and substantial financial losses. The trend points to a sustained increase in the prevalence and complexity of fraud, suggesting that stronger penalties alone have not been sufficient to curb the problem.

  Lai’s case suggests that individuals willing to engage in such schemes are often undeterred by the prospect of long prison terms. As a result, the more effective approach might lie not in further increasing penalties, but in strengthening prevention — particularly through public education and awareness.

  The government has already launched large-scale anti-fraud campaigns led by agencies such as the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Justice, using television advertisements, social media outreach and public service announcements to highlight common scam tactics, especially investment fraud and impersonation schemes.

  A key initiative is the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline, operated by the National Police Agency, which allows the public to verify suspicious calls, messages or financial requests in real time. Schools and community groups have also been involved, with outreach programs targeting vulnerable people — particularly older adults — aimed at increasing awareness.

  In addition, Taiwan has integrated fraud prevention into its financial and telecommunications systems. Banks and telecoms are required to display scam warnings, flag unusual transactions and in some cases delay transfers to give people time to reconsider. Digital platforms and messaging services have also been encouraged, and in some cases required, to cooperate with authorities in identifying and removing fraudulent accounts.

  Overall, Taiwan’s approach combines public education, real-time support tools and institutional safeguards, reflecting a broader effort to reduce fraud by making citizens more informed and harder to deceive.

  However, fraud continues and people are still being victimized, suggesting that these efforts are not yet fully effective. This might be because the messaging is not reaching all segments of society, or because some individuals remain willing to take risks when presented with the promise of high returns, particularly when scams are carefully designed to appear legitimate.

  Either way, authorities face the ongoing challenge of finding more effective ways to reach potential victims before they are deceived. Public awareness efforts must not only inform, but also resonate — making clear that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

  Police have urged the public to stick to legitimate investment avenues, warning that anyone promising guaranteed returns, secret investment strategies or exclusive opportunities — particularly those who refuse to verify their identity — should be treated with suspicion. It is a simple message, but one that remains essential: The most effective way to combat fraud is to equip the public to avoid it.
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