Woman Robbed of Millions in Taipei Cryptocurrency Meetup; Suspect Quickly Apprehended by Police and Public

(Central News Agency reporter Huang Liyun, Taipei, 15th) A woman in Taipei recently engaged in buying and selling virtual currency online. On the evening of the 13th, during a face-to-face transaction, a man in his twenties named Zhang took over one million New Taiwan dollars in cash and fled the scene. Fortunately, a vigilant passerby chased after him, and together with police, successfully apprehended the suspect, recovering all the stolen money.

The Daan District Police Station of the Taipei City Police Department issued a press release today, stating that their Dunhua South Road Precinct received a report around 9 p.m. on the 13th about a suspected robbery near Lane 308, Guangfu South Road. They immediately activated their rapid response unit and dispatched officers to the scene.

Investigations revealed that the victim, a woman working in the financial sector, had arranged online to exchange 2.5 million New Taiwan dollars for cryptocurrency with another party, meeting that evening in Daan District.

However, after the woman handed over more than one million dollars in cash, Zhang, posing as a currency trader, seized the opportunity to flee. The victim shouted that she was being robbed, prompting nearby concerned citizens to immediately intervene and pursue him. Police arrived shortly after receiving the report.

Zhang fled all the way to the vicinity of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, where he collapsed from exhaustion and began vomiting. He was then subdued and arrested by the pursuing police and citizens. All stolen funds were successfully recovered.

The unemployed Zhang claimed he had applied for a job online and was instructed by an employer to carry out the face-to-face transaction.

After questioning, police transferred Zhang to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of robbery and fraud under the Criminal Code, and continue to investigate the masterminds behind the crime.

The Daan District Police remind the public that security incidents related to cryptocurrency transactions have been frequent recently, and investment risks are high. They urge citizens to carefully choose reputable channels when conducting transactions. They also encourage the public to remain vigilant about suspicious individuals or activities, and to immediately call 110 or the anti-fraud hotline 165 if anything unusual is observed. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150715

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