Man, 60, stopped from sending $9,800 in suspected 'fake friend' face mask scam

A 60-year-old man's attempt to transfer a substantial sum of money was thwarted by vigilant bank staff and police, who suspected he had fallen victim to a sophisticated scam. The man approached a bank in Tainan's Central-West District intending to wire NT$320,000, claiming the funds were for a joint purchase of face masks with his elder brother.

Bank employees, noting the man's nervous demeanor and evasive answers regarding the recipient and purpose of the transfer, became suspicious. They followed protocol by inquiring about the transaction's purpose due to the large amount. When the man failed to produce any photographic evidence or receipts for the purported face mask purchase, his story began to unravel.

Police officers from the Hai'an Police Station arrived at the scene. Initially, the man insisted on the face mask purchase, but under patient questioning, he changed his story, stating he was buying items from someone he met online. Despite police attempts to review his phone conversations, he refused. Officers determined he was likely ensnared in a "fake friend" or "fake shopping" scam.

Police explained common scam tactics, including how fraudsters use dating apps to build trust before convincing victims to invest or make purchases. They also noted that scammers often coach individuals on how to respond to bank inquiries. Realizing he had been targeted, the man abandoned the transfer, successfully protecting his savings from the fraudulent scheme.