The Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office has indicted a French man on charges of fraud involving a “black money scam” while a wanted notice has been issued for his alleged accomplice, who is currently on the run.
According to the indictment, the man in October last year visited a barbecue restaurant in Taoyuan and allegedly told the owner that he was capable of “laundering” NT$7 million (US$234,467) into US$7 million.
The French national showed the restaurant owner “black paper” and allegedly claimed they can “wash” the color off it to reveal it as a US banknote, and successfully persuaded the owner to hand over NT$7 million in hopes of becoming rich.
Photo: Chou Min-hung, Taipei Times
The indictment said that “black money” is a scam which involves using starch with povidone iodine solution to “dye” the bill, or piece of paper, and then remove the coloring by either soaking the paper or bill in a glass of water with vitamin C.
After obtaining the NT$7 million, the man allegedly attempted to scam more out of the owner, telling the owner that he had accidentally ruined the Taiwanese banknotes during the laundering process.
He then asked the owner to provide NT$10 million in cash on Nov. 27 last year, the indictment said.
During the preparation process, the owner uncovered an equipment bag that the French national brought along and found counterfeit money inside, after which he realized he was being conned, the indictment said.
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