MODA's Digital Industry Administration Warns of Threads Scams, Outlines 4 Prevention Principles

According to the Central News Agency, recent reports indicate that users on the social media platform Threads have been targeted by scammers posing as sellers of high-end road bikes at extremely low prices. Victims are lured into using fake delivery service platforms, resulting in financial theft. The Digital Industry Administration (MODA) has issued a warning, urging the public to adhere to four key principles, such as never providing OTP codes and avoiding contact with unknown LINE accounts.

In one case, a victim saw a post claiming a shop was closing due to rent issues, offering bikes worth tens of thousands of NTD for just 1,000 NTD. The scammers directed the victim to a fake delivery portal, then triggered a 'real-name authentication failure' error, forcing the victim to contact a fake customer support line via LINE. The scammers then obtained the victim's banking QR codes and credit card OTPs, leading to unauthorized transfers and fraudulent charges.

The Digital Industry Administration emphasizes that legitimate e-commerce platforms will never ask for OTPs or require transactions via private LINE accounts. They advise users to verify seller history and remain calm when faced with 'limited time' sales tactics.