Taipei Police Invite Christian Groups to Promote Anti-Fraud and Anti-Drug Awareness

The Taipei City Police Department invited representatives from the Christian Cultural Exchange and the 12 district prayer associations in Taipei to the North City Police Academy on the afternoon of August 7. The purpose of the gathering was to engage religious leaders in promoting anti-fraud and anti-drug awareness throughout the community.

Police officials noted that cash flow related to fraud cases from January to June reached its highest level in six years, although the trend showed a decrease compared to the same period in previous years. To address this, the department aims to disseminate anti-fraud messages to all corners of society by leveraging the reach of religious organizations.

Pastor Huang Hwan suggested that churches could establish connections with the police commissioner to collaborate on community initiatives. The police expressed hope that the trust and social standing of church leaders would help build a strong sense of community trust, positioning the church as a key point of contact for anti-fraud advocacy.

Taipei Police Director Lin Yinda emphasized that anti-drug efforts require the combined power of religious groups, social organizations, and the general population. By integrating these resources with police capabilities, the department seeks to strengthen its overall effectiveness in combating drug-related crimes.

Officials acknowledged that the constantly changing tactics of fraud syndicates make police tracking alone insufficient for prevention. Consequently, the police are utilizing various channels, including religious networks, to ensure that more people receive anti-fraud information, with the goal of reducing the number of victims.

A specific example of a recent fraud scheme involved a tenant who responded to a rental advertisement on Threads that included a LINE contact for the landlord. The tenant was induced to send keys and verify identity, after which a fake financial agent joined the conversation to trick the tenant into sharing their screen. The tenant reported that $100,000 was stolen and subsequently contacted the 165 anti-fraud hotline and the police.

The New Deal Branch is also running a “TEAM UP! Youth project – anti-frauding” basketball game involving the New North-North Sino-Sinding Basketball Team and the Taipei Shand BMW. The event aims to promote youth crime prevention and traffic safety, featuring artists and basketball players who share their sports spirits and engage in anti-fraud advocacy alongside the Governor of Taiwan’s International Anti-Fraud Association.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)