Malaysian travel influencer arrested in Taichung over fake investment scam
A 33-yr-old Malaysian Instagram travel influencer with over 10,000 followers was arrested in Taiwan, Taichung for collecting scam proceeds in a fake investment case. Police caught him red-handed during a sting operation on 19 October.
TAIWAN: A Malaysian man claiming to be a social media travel influencer was arrested by police in Taichung on 19 October for acting as a money mule in a fake investment scam.
The Taichung City Police Department's Dajia Precinct confirmed that the 33-year-old, surnamed Lin, was caught during a sting operation after a victim reported being defrauded by a syndicate that had earlier scammed them out of a significant sum.
The group later demanded a further payment of NT$300,000 (approx. US$9,200), arranging for the handover to take place in person. Police set up an ambush at the agreed location, successfully arresting Lin when he arrived to collect the money.
According to the police statement, Lin described himself as a travel influencer and had over 10,000 followers on Instagram. His profile featured travel content from more than 20 countries and styled him as a globe-trotting content creator.
However, investigators found that the image was misleading. Despite outward signs of affluence — such as carrying the latest iPhone 17 Pro and showcasing global travel photos — Lin eventually confessed that he was in deep financial trouble due to gambling debts.
Police said Lin initially refused to cooperate, staying silent during questioning. He later admitted that his current lifestyle was far from the glamorous image portrayed online.
Lin had come to Taiwan with the stated intention of meeting his girlfriend, but under financial pressure, he agreed to act as a "cash runner" for the fraud group.
The Dajia Police noted that this case highlights how scam syndicates exploit foreigners by offering supposed "short-term work" or "high-paying part-time jobs" to lure them into illegal activities such as cash collection.
Authorities warned both locals and foreigners to be cautious about online job offers, especially those involving money transfers or in-person transactions, as these may be fronts for criminal operations.
The Dajia Precinct reaffirmed its commitment to stepping up anti-fraud awareness campaigns, investigations, and law enforcement efforts, with the goal of safeguarding public financial security.
Lin is currently facing legal proceedings, and police have not ruled out further action against those connected to the syndicate.
