Fake Police Scams in Taiwan
Phone scams impersonating Taiwan police, prosecutors, or government officials to extort money from victims under threats of arrest.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Government impersonation phone scams are one of Taiwan's most persistent and high-loss fraud categories. Callers pose as National Police Agency officers, prosecutors, or Judicial Yuan officials, informing victims that their identity has been used in a crime and that they must cooperate — by transferring money to a safe account — to avoid arrest.
These scams have evolved in sophistication, using spoofed caller ID numbers that display official government numbers and sometimes employing multiple callers playing different official roles in sequence to maximise pressure.
How this scam works on Taiwan
A victim receives a call from a number displaying the National Police Agency or Ministry of Justice prefix. The caller explains that the victim's bank account or national ID has been flagged in a money-laundering investigation. To prove innocence and protect the account, the victim must transfer savings to a designated safe account managed by the court.
The victim is instructed not to tell family or friends, as doing so could interfere with the investigation. A second caller poses as a prosecutor to confirm the situation, adding institutional weight.
Elders are disproportionately targeted. Some victims have been accompanied by fake court bailiffs to ATMs to ensure withdrawals are completed.
Common red flags
- Unexpected call claiming your identity is linked to a financial crime
- Instruction to transfer savings to a safe government account — no real authority does this
- Multiple callers handing over to each other in sequence to simulate official process
- Warning not to tell family or friends about the call
- Pressure to act immediately before a legal deadline
- Caller ID shows a government number — spoofing is easily done
How to protect yourself
- Know that Taiwanese police and prosecutors never request fund transfers by phone
- Hang up and call the official police non-emergency line 165 (Anti-Fraud hotline) to verify
- Tell family members immediately — secrecy demands are a core scam tactic
- Install the Taiwan 165 anti-fraud app which identifies suspicious incoming numbers
- Never visit an ATM in response to a phone instruction
- Confirm any legal notice with your bank or a lawyer before taking financial action
How to report it
- Call Taiwan Anti-Fraud Hotline 165 immediately
- Report to the National Police Agency at npa.gov.tw
- File with the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) cybercrime unit
Frequently asked questions
What is Taiwan's 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline and what can it do?
The 165 hotline is operated by the National Police Agency and handles fraud reports, victim assistance, and suspicious number queries. You can call before transferring any money to verify if a call is genuine. The associated app also flags known scam numbers before you answer.