(Taiwan, 7th) The Taiwanese government is vigorously cracking down on fraud, but the incidence of foreign tourists or migrant workers in Taiwan becoming involved in scams is growing increasingly serious. According to statistics from the National Police Agency, last year the police arrested a total of 753 foreign 'money mules', but from just January to September this year, the number of foreign mules caught has already reached 1,066.
'Money mules' are members of scam groups responsible for withdrawing cash from ATMs or collecting fraudulent payments from victims.
According to a United Daily News report on the 7th, the police stated that many foreigners come to Taiwan holding tourist visas to act as scam group mules; as soon as something seems suspicious, they catch a flight home. If not closely guarded against, this could become a major loophole in Taiwan's anti-fraud efforts.
According to the National Police Agency, 89 foreign mules were arrested throughout Taiwan the year before last; last year, the number soared to 753, and in the first three quarters of this year, the figure has already broken a thousand. The city with the most foreign mules arrested is the capital, Taipei.
In Taipei City, 27 foreign mules were arrested the year before last, 52 last year, and from January to September this year, 93 were caught—a rapidly increasing number. Among the foreign mules apprehended in Taipei City this year, Malaysians topped the list at 39, followed by 22 individuals from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and 18 Vietnamese nationals in third place.
According to observations by an officer from the Criminal Investigation Bureau, the work style of money mules from different countries varies according to their country’s circumstances. For example, among Malaysian mules—the largest group uncovered in Taipei—because Malaysia has a culture with Chinese communities, many Malaysian mules are familiar with Chinese environments, and Malaysian Chinese can speak Chinese. Therefore, many Malaysian mules are assigned tasks that require interaction with the public, such as collecting cash from victims in person.
Mules from across the Strait are mainly from Hong Kong and Macau. In addition to cash collection, because their clothing and demeanor more closely resemble high-spending tourists, many Hong Kong and Macau mules are dispatched by scam groups to department stores to make fraudulent purchases with stolen cards.
As for Vietnamese mules, while a few come to Taiwan for tourism, most are runaway migrant workers who join scam groups to earn money. Due to language barriers, they primarily withdraw money from ATMs, as this does not require communication with others.
Many of the arrested foreign mules claim they were deceived while seeking jobs online, thinking they were coming to Taiwan for a part-time job while traveling, only to end up as accomplices in scam groups. According to a police precinct chief, this is somewhat similar to several years ago, when Taiwanese were tricked into going to Cambodia to commit fraud; now, the tables have turned and foreigners are being lured to Taiwan to act as mules.
The police analysis shows that as the government's anti-fraud campaign has intensified in recent years, the number of Taiwanese mules has decreased, causing scam groups to target foreigners instead. Some foreigners knowingly become mules because airfare, food, and lodging are free and there is money to be made; plus, they can fly home at any time, making it difficult for police to track them down—resulting in a growing number of foreign mules.
'Money mules' are members of scam groups responsible for withdrawing cash from ATMs or collecting fraudulent payments from victims.
According to a United Daily News report on the 7th, the police stated that many foreigners come to Taiwan holding tourist visas to act as scam group mules; as soon as something seems suspicious, they catch a flight home. If not closely guarded against, this could become a major loophole in Taiwan's anti-fraud efforts.
According to the National Police Agency, 89 foreign mules were arrested throughout Taiwan the year before last; last year, the number soared to 753, and in the first three quarters of this year, the figure has already broken a thousand. The city with the most foreign mules arrested is the capital, Taipei.
In Taipei City, 27 foreign mules were arrested the year before last, 52 last year, and from January to September this year, 93 were caught—a rapidly increasing number. Among the foreign mules apprehended in Taipei City this year, Malaysians topped the list at 39, followed by 22 individuals from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and 18 Vietnamese nationals in third place.
According to observations by an officer from the Criminal Investigation Bureau, the work style of money mules from different countries varies according to their country’s circumstances. For example, among Malaysian mules—the largest group uncovered in Taipei—because Malaysia has a culture with Chinese communities, many Malaysian mules are familiar with Chinese environments, and Malaysian Chinese can speak Chinese. Therefore, many Malaysian mules are assigned tasks that require interaction with the public, such as collecting cash from victims in person.
Mules from across the Strait are mainly from Hong Kong and Macau. In addition to cash collection, because their clothing and demeanor more closely resemble high-spending tourists, many Hong Kong and Macau mules are dispatched by scam groups to department stores to make fraudulent purchases with stolen cards.
As for Vietnamese mules, while a few come to Taiwan for tourism, most are runaway migrant workers who join scam groups to earn money. Due to language barriers, they primarily withdraw money from ATMs, as this does not require communication with others.
Many of the arrested foreign mules claim they were deceived while seeking jobs online, thinking they were coming to Taiwan for a part-time job while traveling, only to end up as accomplices in scam groups. According to a police precinct chief, this is somewhat similar to several years ago, when Taiwanese were tricked into going to Cambodia to commit fraud; now, the tables have turned and foreigners are being lured to Taiwan to act as mules.
The police analysis shows that as the government's anti-fraud campaign has intensified in recent years, the number of Taiwanese mules has decreased, causing scam groups to target foreigners instead. Some foreigners knowingly become mules because airfare, food, and lodging are free and there is money to be made; plus, they can fly home at any time, making it difficult for police to track them down—resulting in a growing number of foreign mules.