Taiwan Police and Convenience Stores Team Up to Fight Logistics Scams

Taiwanese police are joining forces with convenience store chains to combat a growing wave of logistics-related fraud. Scammers are increasingly using the widespread network and convenient services of convenience stores to facilitate their criminal activities.

“

Scammers are increasingly using the widespread network and convenient services of convenience stores to facilitate their criminal activities.

The New Taipei City Police Department's Xindian Precinct has established a joint defense mechanism with local convenience stores. This initiative involves posting anti-fraud posters in stores and creating a dedicated reporting channel. When store employees notice suspicious customer behavior, such as distress, following phone instructions, or shipping multiple cards at once, they can immediately contact the police. Officers can then respond to intervene and investigate potential money mules or fraud rings.

Police identified common tactics used by fraudsters, including fake online sales, impersonating buyers, or posing as customer service representatives. They often lure victims into sending financial cards, bankbooks, phones, SIM cards, or other valuables through convenience store "store-to-store" shipping services for illicit purposes. The Xindian police outlined five key points for convenience store logistics anti-fraud:

“

When store employees notice suspicious customer behavior, such as distress, following phone instructions, or shipping multiple cards at once, they can immediately contact the police.

1. Be wary of buyers claiming they cannot complete an order or activate payment systems, then sending links to fake customer service. 2. Payment upon pickup doesn't guarantee legitimacy; low prices require further verification. 3. Never accept, collect, or forward packages for strangers, as this makes you an unwitting accomplice. 4. Any request to mail financial cards, bankbooks, seals, or SIM cards for reasons like job offers, loans, or account verification is a scam. 5. Remain calm and verify independently when faced with urgent demands.

“

Be wary of buyers claiming they cannot complete an order or activate payment systems, then sending links to fake customer service.

Police urge the public to remember that convenience stores are merely shipping channels, not guarantees of transaction safety. They advise against clicking unknown links, mailing financial information, accepting suspicious packages, or forwarding unknown goods. The national anti-fraud hotline, 165, is available for assistance.

“

Payment upon pickup doesn't guarantee legitimacy; low prices require further verification.