Alert Issued Over Deceptive AI-Powered Law Enforcement and Prosecution Swindles
Article Title: Rise in AI-Powered Police and Prosecutor Scams Cause Concern in Taiwan
The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Taiwan has issued a warning regarding a surge in criminals utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate police and prosecutors, leading to significant financial losses.
In a chilling incident, a woman in her 60s was targeted multiple times. She received a call from someone posing as her son in urgent need of money. In another instance, she was tricked into believing that her bank account was under investigation. The scammers convinced her to transfer NT$20 million in savings after she was directed to a fake police station, where AI-generated videos of "officials" reinforced the deception.
The CIB reported an average of 530 fraud cases per day last month, with daily losses reaching NT$275 million (US$9.13 million). These AI-powered scams are among the most damaging, according to CIB figures.
The scams typically involve fraudsters impersonating police officers or prosecutors, often using AI-generated voices or messages to deceive victims. Scammers may claim the victim is involved in a crime or under investigation, pressuring them to transfer money or provide sensitive information to avoid arrest or prosecution.
In response to this escalating issue, the government has taken several measures. Taiwan's High Prosecutors Office launched a suspicious account alert system that collaborates with police and financial institutions to detect and block suspicious transactions proactively, freezing over 3,600 bank accounts linked to telecom scams.
A dedicated task force analyzes intelligence from these institutions to identify and investigate scams early. Authorities have also signed memorandums with banks to share data on previous fraud suspects and suspicious transactions for better screening.
Law enforcement agencies encourage public vigilance and have warned about AI-generated scam calls, urging people to verify the identity of callers claiming to be officials. The government also employs "Anti-Fraud Blueprint 2.0," which sets out a cross-sector collaboration strategy to combat fraud, including scams involving AI and cryptocurrency-related crimes.
From January to July 2025, over 3,100 such fake police and prosecutor scam cases were reported in Taiwan, causing estimated losses of approximately NT$6.2 billion (around US$200 million). The CBC advises treating contact about IDs, bank accounts, or secrecy requirements as warning signs.
In light of these developments, the CIB urges the public to remain vigilant and to verify the identity of any official-sounding calls before providing any personal or financial information. If you suspect a scam, the CBC recommends hanging up immediately and seeking verification by calling the 165 anti-fraud hotline.
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