The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) analyzed recent investment fraud cases and found that fraud rings have shifted from seeking money immediately to offering gifts and gradually building victims' trust. The victimization process in such cases now lasts an average of four months, as scammers spend extended periods building trust and making the schemes harder for victims to detect early. In March 2026, a Taipei resident surnamed Wang, who had previously worked for a financial holding company, clicked on an advertisement offering a free sushi voucher and joined a LINE group offering promotional perks. The fraud ring arranged daily check-ins and sent him gifts, including shopping credits, gift vouchers, an insulated bottle, and a power bank, gradually lowering his guard. What began with a free sushi voucher escalated over the following months into additional borrowing against his home and the purchase of gold, ultimately resulting in losses totaling NT$23.1 million.
    After gaining the victim's trust, the fraud ring began promoting a purported “corporate medical plan,” promising high returns and monthly payouts while using “jointly funded orders” to create the illusion of a large-scale investment opportunity. The scammers further assessed the victim's assets, including his home, cash, stocks, and retirement savings, and progressively increased their demands based on his financial resources.
    When the victim ran short of cash, the scammers steered him toward borrowing an additional NT$18 million against his home and told him that he could make his investment payments in gold instead. Following their instructions, the victim purchased approximately 4.2 kilograms of gold. The fraud ring then sent a courier to his home to collect the gold. The courier also presented a tripartite agreement and a payment receipt on site, making the handover appear to be a routine investment procedure. In effect, what began as an investment led him to borrow against his home, purchase gold, and ultimately hand it over to the fraud ring.
    In August, the scammers demanded an additional NT$13.9 million in purported “taxes” before he could collect his promised investment returns. Unable to raise the additional funds, the victim found that the scammers had become unreachable. Only then did he realize that he had been defrauded.
    The most concerning aspect of this case is that the fraud ring had even anticipated the bank's fraud-prevention questions and prepared the victim's responses in advance. When the victim visited a bank branch to withdraw NT$1.2 million, a teller asked about the intended use of the funds. However, the scammers had already prepared a fabricated construction cost estimate and coached him on how to respond. Furthermore, because the victim had previously worked for the same financial group, his friendly exchanges with the teller inadvertently lowered the teller's vigilance. The large withdrawal was ultimately completed before police could intervene to stop it.
    The CIB emphasized that simply asking questions is no longer enough to ensure a transaction is safe. Scammers may have already rehearsed every detail, including what questions the bank will ask, how the victim should respond, and what supporting documents to present. Even when dealing with regular customers or former colleagues, bank staff must maintain the same level of vigilance and thoroughness in their fraud-prevention checks. Otherwise, a fabricated document and a few friendly exchanges could create an opening for scammers to circumvent banks' fraud-prevention safeguards.
    The CIB reiterated that fraudulent investment schemes often unfold over several months. Gifts, group chats, contracts, and receipts do not establish that an investment is legitimate. Financial institutions should remain vigilant when they notice customers borrowing additional funds against their homes, making large cash withdrawals, or purchasing substantial quantities of gold within a short period. Even if customers are familiar with financial procedures and can provide complete documentation, financial institutions should verify the actual purpose of the transactions and the ultimate destination of the funds or assets. Such precautions are essential to prevent the trust cultivated over time by scammers from becoming a means to circumvent fraud-prevention safeguards.
    Anyone who suspects fraud should immediately call the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline or consult the 165 Anti-Fraud Dashboard to review relevant cases. Members of the public can also add the official LINE account “165防騙宣導” (165 Anti-Fraud Awareness) as a friend to download free anti-fraud LINE stickers and stay informed about the latest scam tactics and fraud-prevention information.