Taipei City Police Department

The Da’an Precinct’s Dunhua South Road Police Station recently received a report from a local financial institution regarding a woman surnamed Liu (born in 1974) who attempted to withdraw NT$1.35 million in cash at the counter. As Ms. Liu appeared evasive about the purpose of the funds and behaved nervously, bank staff grew suspicious and immediately activated the police–bank cooperation mechanism, notifying officers to assist on site.

Upon arrival, officers conducted a care-oriented inquiry. Ms. Liu initially insisted the money was for “personal use,” but later claimed it was to “help a friend with cash flow,” giving inconsistent explanations and appearing increasingly uneasy during questioning. With her consent, officers called the contact person she mentioned to verify the situation. However, as soon as the call was answered and the other party realized police were involved, the call was abruptly terminated. This unusual reaction further reinforced the officers’ suspicions.

During the interaction, Ms. Liu, feeling anxious, even attempted to reduce the withdrawal amount to NT$500,000 to avoid drawing attention. Officers assessed that the situation likely involved a scam and promptly explained common fraud tactics and the risks of large cash withdrawals. Through continued patient communication, Ms. Liu ultimately decided to cancel the transaction, successfully preventing a potential loss of NT$1.35 million.

The Da’an Precinct stated that fraud groups often exploit situations where individuals are unwilling or unable to clearly explain the purpose of funds or are instructed by others to handle financial transactions. The public is urged to remain vigilant when making large withdrawals or payments, verify information through multiple channels, and, if in doubt, contact the police or call the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline for assistance to safeguard their property.