Taiwan Police Eye Real-Name Logistics to Curb Money Laundering

Taiwanese police are investigating a real-name registration system for logistics services to combat a growing trend of money laundering through parcel deliveries. Criminals are exploiting the "store-to-store" delivery services offered by major convenience store chains and logistics companies. These methods bypass traditional financial institution checks, allowing criminals to move illicit funds more easily.

The scam often begins with online purchases, where victims are tricked into paying for low-quality or unwanted goods. In other cases, fraudsters pose as investment advisors, convincing victims to mail cash or gold through these logistics networks. Between January and June, 77 such cases involving fake investment schemes using physical logistics systems were reported, according to police statistics. While not a significant increase from previous years, the ease of using these services without strict identity verification has made them a prime target for money laundering.

Criminals use convenience store "delivery services" by first luring victims with promises of high investment returns. They then provide a shipping code, guiding victims to print shipping labels and package cash or gold as ordinary parcels. These are sent to designated stores, where accomplices, posing as couriers, can pick up the packages simply by paying the shipping fee. This process requires no identity check or verification of the parcel's contents. Criminals can also monitor the shipment's progress in real-time through online tracking systems, directing their accomplices remotely.

Another tactic involves impersonating telecommunications providers or law enforcement officials. Scammers inform victims that their identity has been compromised and instruct them to mail their bank cards and passwords via convenience stores. Subsequently, funds are withdrawn from the victims' accounts. Some victims are also contacted by individuals posing as Financial Supervisory Commission officials, who demand that they mail their physical bank cards for "investigation," leading to the theft of their savings.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau emphasized that these methods circumvent banks' fraud prevention and alert mechanisms. Because convenience store logistics services do not allow for on-site inspection of goods and couriers can directly collect packages, it is extremely difficult for victims to intercept their shipments once they are sent. This often results in irreversible financial losses and significantly complicates recovery efforts. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant against such scams.

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The criminal investigation bureau's fraud prevention center is actively inviting relevant authorities from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Transportation, as well as related logistics operators, to discuss mechanisms such as real-name registration to plug loopholes.