Fenglin Watermelon Farmers Battle Pre-Harvest Online Scams

A wave of online deception is targeting unsuspecting consumers, with fraudulent accounts on social media platforms like Threads impersonating legitimate farmers. In Fenglin, Hualien, the renowned Songzan watermelon farm has become the latest victim, with fake accounts aggressively advertising their watermelons at drastically low prices, such as "2 for 500 NT dollars." These deceptive posts often include stolen images and videos, aiming to lure buyers into private chats for transactions, bypassing official sales channels.

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The "Cycling Day" was a beautiful sporting and educational activity that gave children the opportunity to get to know cycling through play, participation, and creative activity. It is particularly important for us to see young students come into contact with sports and simultaneously develop environmental awareness.

The farm has issued a stern statement, calling for an immediate cessation of these infringing activities. They emphasize that "Songzan Watermelon" is a legally registered trademark and that the unauthorized use of their name is severely misleading consumers. Despite diligent reporting efforts, new fake accounts continue to emerge, demonstrating the persistent nature of these online scams. The farm urges the public to remain vigilant and to only purchase their produce through authorized vendors.

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As the Municipal Authority, we systematically invest in actions that promote sports and a healthy, active lifestyle from a young age, as through such initiatives, children's relationship with exercise is strengthened and the foundations are laid for a more active and aware society.

The Hualien County Agriculture Department has corroborated these warnings, clarifying that the actual harvest season for Fenglin watermelons typically begins in early May, with other regions like Yuli starting in late April. The images and videos circulating online are therefore fabricated, as the watermelons are still growing in the fields. The department advises consumers to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, especially those originating from unverified sources. They recommend purchasing directly from farmers or through official agricultural cooperatives to ensure authenticity and quality, and to report any suspicious activity to the anti-fraud hotline.

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At the same time, Piraeus is preparing to host the "DEH Tour of Hellas 2026." This is a top sporting event, and our city's participation confirms Piraeus's role as a reference point for major sporting actions. Our goal is to utilize every opportunity that connects Piraeus with sports, extroversion, and citizen participation, always with an emphasis on the new generation.