Hsinchu Residents Highly Susceptible to Scams, Commentator Predicts Mayor's Re-election

Hsinchu City, known for its high income and consumer spending, has become a prime target for fraud rings, with "fake investment" schemes proving particularly effective. City Councilor Liu Yen-ling cited data from the National Police Agency's "165 Anti-Fraud Dashboard" showing 204 fraud cases in January alone, 79 of which were investment scams. The East District, an area that heavily supported Mayor Ko Hung-an in the last election, reported more cases than other districts, possibly due to the concentration of workers from the Hsinchu Science Park.

Media commentator Wang Chieh-min suggested that Mayor Ko Hung-an is likely to win re-election, despite the city's status as the "number one disaster area" in Taiwan for fraud crimes per 100,000 people. He noted that Hsinchu City's East District and Guanxin Village, areas that voted overwhelmingly for Ko, are hotspots for these scams. Wang expressed surprise at the high acceptance rate of fraud among Hsinchu residents, attributing it to their high education levels and significant wealth.

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Estimate Ko Hung-an will still be re-elected.

The "165 Anti-Fraud Dashboard," launched by the National Police Agency in August 2023, aims to increase public awareness through case statistics, shared victim experiences, and anti-fraud tips. As of January 2024, it has documented over 13,000 cases and attracted more than 150,000 views. Liu urged residents to exercise caution and verify information before making investment decisions, emphasizing the importance of consulting the dashboard to understand common scam tactics.

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Hsinchu City people's characteristics have a very high acceptance of fraud, unbelievable.