The Taichung District Prosecutors’ Office is investigating two women in connection with a family of five who were found dead in their home on Wednesday after apparently being defrauded in an investment scheme.
Suicide notes left at the scene described deep regret over trusting a former classmate and investing in what turned out to be a fraudulent gold purchasing scam, prosecutors said yesterday.
The victims, all from the same household in Fengyuan District (豐原), wrote that they were overwhelmed by debt and could no longer repay what they owed.
Photo: Chen Chien-chih, Taipei Times
One of the women being investigated, a 35-year-old surnamed Chang (張), was a former classmate of the family’s eldest daughter who had introduced the family to the second woman, a 45-year-old surnamed Lee (李), prosecutors said.
Lee organized group purchases of gold that the family, surnamed Wang (王), joined to earn commission.
The suspects were brought in for questioning on Friday night, the prosecutors’ office said.
Chang was interrogated that evening and placed under residency restrictions on suspicion of fraud, while Lee was questioned by police on Saturday and transferred to the prosecutors’ office later that night, it said.
Lee was held overnight for questioning and released early yesterday on bail of NT$150,000, prosecutors said, adding that she is restricted from traveling overseas.
The prosecutors’ office said that a task force has been formed with the Taichung City Police Department’s Fengyuan Precinct and the Criminal Investigation Division to investigate the case.
Authorities searched two sites in Fengyuan on Friday after prosecutors obtained warrants from the Taichung District Court.
On Saturday, investigators examined physical evidence left at the Wang family residence.
Solicitation for investment in the gold scam began in June last year, but other key details remain under investigation, Prosecutors said.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the 1925, 1995 or 1980 hotlines for help.
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