On October 24, 2024, the National Police Agency (NPA), the Department of Household Registration (DHR), and the Cooperative & Civil Associations Preparatory Office (CCPO) reported to the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) on Romance Scams, Minister, Liu Shyh-Fang noted that, according to the latest statistics, cases of fake dating combined with investment fraud ranked as the fourth most common type from July to September this year. In order to prevent the public from being scammed, the MOI has instructed the NPA to strengthen its investigations, asked the DHR to oversee the dating service businesses, and requested that the CCPO, the competent authorities of marriage agencies, conduct investigations and awareness campaigns in accordance with the law, paying particular attention to international marriage matchmaking activities, so as to eliminate illegal activities such as Romance Scams.
Minister Liu cautioned that fraud syndicates may use diverse tactics, such as using dating websites, social media platforms, and communication software to look for prey. By establishing relationships through fake accounts and gaining the victims' trust, these syndicates often exploit investment opportunities or family illnesses to solicit money, leading to significant financial losses for the victims. The MOI urges the public to be careful and not to panic when encountering any suspicious situations, and to immediately call 110 or the 165 anti-fraud counseling hotline for verification.
In the report, the NPA mentioned that it will continue to analyze the common fraud cases and develop diverse promotional materials. This includes collaborating with celebrities to create promotional videos that leverage their influence to raise public awareness of fraud. Additionally, the NPA will produce visual materials that clarify fraudulent tactics, helping the public gain a clearer understanding of the methods and risks associated with fraud.