A couple in Taiwan allegedly operated an elaborate romance scam that cheated more than 20,000 men out of at least NT$900 million (about S$36 million), with members of the organisation allegedly using fake female identities, AI voice-changing technology and in-person dates to gain victims’ trust.
A total of 57 people were charged on Sep. 2 in connection with the alleged operation, which prosecutors said had been running since 2022.
According to Focus Taiwan, the alleged ringleaders were a man surnamed Huang and his wife, surnamed Hsu. Prosecutors said the couple divided the operation into different teams responsible for finding potential victims, recruiting new targets, maintaining relationships and handling returning customers.
Victims allegedly lured through dating apps
The operation allegedly began by creating profiles on dating applications using photographs and names of attractive women.
Members of the group’s “lead generation” team would reportedly use these accounts to identify men who showed interest. Those victims were then passed to another team, whose members allegedly pretended to be the women and continued chatting with them online.
The victims were initially encouraged to buy products costing around NT$1,000 to NT$2,000 (approximately S$40 to S$80). Prosecutors alleged that they were told their purchases would help the women achieve sales targets.
The products reportedly included fish oil, Antrodia cinnamomea products and power banks.
After establishing a connection, another team allegedly continued communicating with the victims in an attempt to develop romantic relationships.
Gifts and money allegedly collected
Once trust had been established, victims were allegedly persuaded to purchase or give increasingly expensive gifts, including mobile phones, air purifiers and hair dryers.
According to prosecutors, women from the organisation’s public relations team would sometimes meet victims in person for dates. Some allegedly had sexual encounters with victims before collecting cash, electronics and other gifts, which were subsequently returned to the organisation.
Prosecutors also alleged that the group had a system for approaching repeat victims for additional money. These requests reportedly included claims involving living expenses, medical bills and cosmetic surgery debts.
Victims were also allegedly directed to make payments for beauty and tattooing courses operated by businesses associated with the group.
The scale of the alleged operation was substantial, with prosecutors estimating that more than 20,000 people had been defrauded of at least NT$900 million, equivalent to around S$36 million.
AI technology allegedly used to impersonate women
An engineer surnamed Chung was also allegedly involved in the operation. Prosecutors said Chung developed AI voice-changing software that allowed members of the organisation to sound like the women from its public relations team when speaking to victims over the phone.
The alleged use of artificial intelligence meant victims could receive calls that appeared to come from the same women they had been communicating with online, making the fabricated identities more convincing.
However, prosecutors also alleged that the organisation mistreated members who failed to meet its performance targets.
ET Today reported that workers were allegedly subjected to physical punishments, including being shocked with electric fly swatters. Some were also allegedly coerced into performing sexual acts as punishment for failing to meet targets.
The 57 defendants were charged under Taiwan’s Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act, Money Laundering Control Act and Criminal Code provisions relating to internet fraud carried out by three or more people.
Prosecutors are seeking prison sentences of at least 25 years for Huang and 18 years for Hsu, according to reports.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the defendants remain entitled to due process.