Taichung hot pot restaurant owners accused of fleeing with millions, defrauding over 300 investors

A married couple operating a chain hot pot restaurant in Daya District, Taichung, are at the center of an alleged fraud case involving hundreds of millions of New Taiwan dollars. The couple, identified by their surnames Huang and Hong, are reportedly abroad, having fled to avoid repercussions after their businesses collapsed. They were known in the local community for their active participation in various social clubs and for their extensive business ventures, which included travel agencies, credit investigation firms, and leisure companies. In recent years, they actively solicited investments from members of these social circles. The situation came to light when investors began seeking help from local representatives. A self-help group has been formed by the affected individuals, with reported losses ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of New Taiwan dollars. A specific "super high-value victim group" has also been established by 45 individuals who lost millions or even tens of millions of dollars. The Daya Precinct of the Taichung City Police Department confirmed they are investigating the case, which was initially reported as a public dispute. Prosecutors are now leading the investigation to clarify the extent of the victims' losses and gather evidence of potential wrongdoing. The exact total amount lost is still under investigation, but initial estimates suggest it could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.