99-year-old Taiwan man nearly sends US$126,000 to online 'girlfriend' before police step in
A 99-year-old Taiwanese man nearly transferred more than NT$4 million (about US$126,000) to a woman he met online but had never seen in person. Alert bank staff and police intervened in time, preventing the loss of what authorities said could have been his life savings.
- A 99-year-old Taipei resident planned to transfer more than NT$4 million to an online acquaintance he never met.
- Bank staff alerted police after noticing suspicious transfer activity involving a large sum of money.
- Police and family members persuaded the man to cancel the transfer, preventing a major financial loss.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN: A 99-year-old man in Taipei was prevented from transferring more than NT$4 million (approximately US$126,000) to a woman he met online after bank staff and police intervened and convinced him he was likely being targeted by a romance scam.
According to Taipei City's Nangang Police Precinct, the elderly man, surnamed Zhou, had developed a relationship with a woman he met through the internet.
The woman allegedly showered him with affection, regularly checked on his wellbeing and promised a future together, including marriage and spending their retirement years side by side.
Authorities said the man became deeply attached despite never having met the woman in person.
How the scam unfolded
Police said the woman gradually gained the man's trust through persistent emotional engagement and romantic promises.
After establishing the relationship, she allegedly began requesting money, claiming she needed financial support and funds for their future life together.
Believing the relationship was genuine, the man sold shares that he had held for many years and raised more than NT$4 million.
He then visited a bank branch intending to transfer the money into an account designated by the woman.
Investigators said the man viewed the payment as financial support for his online companion and hoped it would strengthen their relationship.
"He said the money was intended as a pension for his friend and hoped it would win her affection," police said.
Bank staff raise the alarm
The incident occurred on the morning of 22 June, when many customers, including elderly residents, were conducting transactions at the bank.
Staff at the Yu Cheng Branch of Taiwan Cooperative Bank noticed the unusually large transfer request and became concerned about the possibility of fraud.
The bank subsequently contacted the Nangang Precinct, reporting that a very elderly customer appeared to be preparing to transfer a substantial amount of money to an unfamiliar account.
Police officers arrived at the scene and began speaking with the man about the nature of the transaction.
Initially unconvinced
Despite warnings from officers and bank employees, the man initially insisted he was not being deceived.
Police said he repeatedly maintained that the woman was a genuine friend and that he was voluntarily providing financial support.
Officers explained that romance scammers frequently use stolen photographs and fabricated identities to establish emotional relationships with victims before requesting money.
They also shared examples of recent online dating scams in which fraudsters posed as attractive men or women and used emotional manipulation to extract funds.
Even after hearing the warnings, the elderly man remained reluctant to abandon the transfer.
Family helps change his mind
Police eventually contacted the man's son and other family members, who joined efforts to persuade him to reconsider.
After repeated discussions with officers, bank staff and relatives, the man gradually accepted that he might have fallen into what authorities described as a carefully planned romance scam.
He ultimately cancelled the transfer, preserving more than NT$4 million in savings.
According to police, the man had previously worked in business and currently lives alone. Authorities said the transfer could have resulted in the loss of a significant portion, if not all, of his accumulated savings.
Before leaving the bank, the man repeatedly thanked the officers and bank employees for their assistance.
Police issue warning
The Nangang Precinct said romance scams remain a common form of fraud, particularly targeting individuals seeking companionship through social media platforms and messaging applications.
Police warned that scammers often use photographs of attractive individuals, build emotional dependence through frequent communication and later request money under various pretexts, including investments, emergencies or plans for a shared future.
Authorities urged the public to exercise caution whenever an online acquaintance whom they have never met in person begins discussing money or requesting financial assistance.
Police said investigations into the suspected scam operation are continuing and that those responsible will be pursued in accordance with the law.
