2025/10/04 05:30
LIN,SHU-LI
The influx of Shovel Man into Hualien to assist with disaster relief efforts fully demonstrates the passion and compassion of Taiwanese people. However, a high school student is suspected of exploiting this compassion to commit fraud. This case serves as an opportunity to educate young people about the importance of discretion in their actions, as a single misstep could lead to criminal penalties. It also serves as a reminder that anyone can easily take screenshots online and fabricate stories on social media.
Fraud syndicates are the masters of this tactic. They exploit current events with a 70% truth and 30% deception. The current events are real, but once you click on the “link,” you’re trapped. It’s hard for people to discern the truth, and their compassion is exploited. In the past, charities have exploited natural disasters to solicit donations for temple or church repairs. Once deceived, people are reluctant to donate, making it even more difficult for charities to raise funds.
Scammers often exploit current events, such as the massive book mailing scam before Mid-Autumn Festival (to obtain personal information), phishing attacks during tax season, romance scams around Valentine’s Day, widespread cash-related scams, and even traps during natural disasters, exploiting the compassion of Taiwanese people. People are often misled by the seemingly true context of current events. The entire scam story is genuine; only the link and the money transfer are deceptive.
Remember, whether it’s by phone, text, email, or social media, never follow any unsolicited messages to transfer or send money. If you encounter a charity solicitation, verify it first, and donate to a separate corporate account. Human compassion should not be exploited; people must thoroughly verify before donating.
(Assistant Professor, the Department of Criminal Justice at Ming Chuan University)