Tourist scammed at airport by ’Taiwan Arrival Card’ phishing site

Tourist scammed at airport by ’Taiwan Arrival Card’ phishing site

2025-12-17

Since Oct. 1, visitors to Taiwan are required to submit an online Taiwan Arrival Card through a website. Already, scammers have spotted an opportunity to target unsuspecting travelers, setting up a phishing website resembling the National Immigration Agency’s official site. A Japanese tourist recently fell for the scam when she followed instructions supplanted by scammers at the airport, and ended up losing US$50 in "processing fees."

Visitors to Taiwan are required to submit the Taiwan Arrival Card starting Oct. 1 through an online form. Already, a phishing site has been set up and the QR code swapped out at the airport, and one tourist from Japan got scammed US$50, or just under NT$1,600.

Voice of Japanese tourist
Scammed by phishing site
It felt like I was forcefully robbed, like I was lied to. I hope something like this never happens again.

According to the victim, she saw banners reminding visitors to fill in the Taiwan Arrival Card, which prompted her to scan the QR code that turned out to be fraudulent. After filling in her passport information, she was instructed to pay US$50 in “processing fee,” which she didn’t question.

- Would you pay in this scenario?
- I wouldn’t. I’d check with a staff member.

- It’s robbery! Who’s taking this money?
- No, she said she was probably scammed.

- I wouldn’t. I’d look for the ground staff.

The incident has been broadcasted by Japanese media. The National Immigration Agency says it has checked that all QR codes distributed at ports of entry were legitimate, and reiterated that the agency itself has never, and will not place any banners for security reasons.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#scam #phishing #travel #internationaltravel #psa

入境台灣遭詐! 日女遊客手機掃QRcode被騙走50美元

2025-12-17

台灣從10月起，採用線上入境卡的新規定，竟被詐騙集團盯上，一名日本遊客，落地後在桃機看到一排旗幟，寫著入境必須有入境卡，她也跟著掃描QR Code，進入假網站，最後卻跳出護照需要支付手續費，她因為不熟悉新規定，就這樣被騙走50美金，真的氣炸了，回國後，向日本媒體投訴。

掃描QR CODE、填寫資料，外國人來台，都要填寫線上入境卡，沒想到，卻有日本女遊客，填寫線上入境卡時，竟被騙走50元美金，相當於台幣1572元

[[聲源:日本遊客]]
“覺得被強行奪走，有一種被騙的感覺，真的是不要再發生這種事了。”

真的好生氣，她說當時在機場，看到一排旗幟，寫著入境必須有入境卡，她才跟著掃描QR CODE，就這樣進入假網站，寫到一半卻跳出，護照資訊必須付手續費，她因為不熟悉台灣制度，只好支付美金50元完成手續。

-碰到跟你收錢妳會不會?
-我不會給，我會問工作人員。

-搶錢啊!這個誰收的?
-沒有，她說可能碰到詐騙。

-我是不會，我應該會找地勤。

日本媒體大肆報導，移民署也發出聲明，已經全面清查，並沒有看到詐騙旗幟和付費網站，為了避免再有人被騙，不會在機場、港口，設立宣傳旗幟。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Finance ministry to require facial recognition at ATMs to combat fraud

In their battle against fraud, some banks have installed AI-powered facial recognition in their ATMs. Before users withdraw money, they have to remove their helmets, face masks, dark glasses, and other obstructions. The Financial Supervisory Commission and the Ministry of Finance are contemplating requiring this feature in all ATMs. If you’re wearing a face mask or helmet, the machine will display a notice and may refuse to dispense the money.

Chen Chih-fan
FTV reporter
Many people keep their helmet on when withdrawing money from an ATM. But soon, if your face is obstructed, it might not give it to you.

There’s now an access control. Not just helmets, but also face masks and dark glasses must be removed. To combat fraud, some banks have installed AI facial recognition systems in their ATMs. Only after confirming that the face is unobstructed will it remit cash. The Ministry of Finance and FSC plan to roll it out nationwide.

Member of public
I think it’s fine. It won’t be much of a problem for me.

Member of public
It would be annoying when I haven’t done my hair. Taking off their hat would mess up girls’ hair.

Fraudsters often use ATMs to get untraceable cash, with money mules wearing helmets and masks to evade detection. To stop them, ATM users will no longer be allowed to conceal their faces when withdrawing money.

Wang Yun-chung
FSC Banking Bureau deputy chief
We’ll be reaching out to financial institutions very soon. We’re discussing the matter first. Some financial institutions in Tainan have already tested it out, so we’ll first hear about their experiences and any issues they may have encountered. The policy will likely be implemented very soon.

Although the idea of requiring facial recognition to withdraw money is sound, the government still has to consider striking a balance between combatting fraud and inconveniencing the public.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#ATMs #fraud #money #moneymule #banks #FSC #MinistryofFinance #facialrecognition #AI

2025-12-17

90% of residents in Taipei’s ‘Kowloon Walled City’ agree to urban renewal

2025-12-17

Tainan residents praise illegal roadside vegetable patch

2025-12-17

Emotional seniors renew vows in touching wedding ceremony

A senior center in Taipei recently invited 20 couples to once again don a wedding veil and relive the biggest day of their lives. Couples that have been married for nearly 50 years confessed their undying love for each other before their witnesses. One man, choking back tears, said that his every breath was filled with thoughts of his wife. And a woman raised her daughter alone and never got to have a wedding. This time, she was able to make up for that long-held regret.

Thank you for loving me. I love you.

Having walked through half their lives together, many things are still unsaid. A senior center in Taipei invited 20 couples to renew their vows and relive cherished memories.

I have so much to thank her for. Even when breathing and sleeping, I think of her.

He thanked me. Even when breathing, he thinks of me. I don’t think it’s possible. Must be fraud.

They laughed about how exhausting their wedding was back in the day. In their wedding photos, they really did have blank looks. Another woman, 90-year-old Huang Cheng A-hsueh, said the day made her miss her other half in heaven.

- I’m happy. Thinking of my wedding, and taking pictures with her dad.
- Do you miss Dad?
- I do.

Another woman never got a chance to wear a wedding dress. 71-year-old Ms. Yang was a single mother. Now with her daughter by her side, she finally gets to wear the veil herself.

Yang Yue-hua
It’s good. Great. I’m so happy. Also nervous. I’ve never worn one before.

Yang’s daughter
I think she’s beautiful. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen her look this beautiful. She started getting ready so early. She even bought fake eyelashes.

This woman’s daughter and daughter-in-law both came. At 87 years old, Ching-yi said the event made her very happy. She even showed off her wedding photos to brag about how handsome her husband was. Time may pass, but the fond memories remain. Wearing all white, they’re just as dazzling as they were on their big day.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#wedding #renewvows #seniors #love #heartwarming #weddingdress #seniorcenter #Taipei

2025-12-17

Taoyuan group remakes old Monkeys jerseys for charity

Even old clothes that can’t be worn anymore still have life of their own! The Taoyuan Environmental Protection Department collected 500 old jerseys from the Rakuten Monkeys baseball team to donate to a charity organization. The ones that couldn’t be worn were given to tailors who transformed them into handmade bags. Each one has its unique embroidery and designs, becoming a veritable work of art.

Tailors sit attentively at sewing machines, their feet working the pedals. Some are busy ironing, while others carefully piecing together bits of fabric. In this small room, everyone has a role to play to magically transform these discarded clothes into something else entirely.

Hsieh I-chin
Xuan Yi association director
Why make them into bags? Because it seems people will always buy bags. After we get the jerseys, the first hope is that they can be worn again, because wearing them is best.

The Taoyuan Department of Environmental Protection collected 500 old jerseys and merch from the Rakuten Monkeys baseball team to donate to the Xuan Yi association. Those that couldn’t be worn again were made into other products. Since each has a different design, it tests the tailors’ craftsmanship and aesthetic sense.

Hsieh I-chin
Xuan Yi association director
It’s a huge challenge to make them into something else. Because, as everyone knows, sometimes it’s made of stretchy cotton and it’s very soft. They also have buttons and buttonholes. So how to change them? To make them into bags? Because bags always have a certain structure. So this is where our tailors’ skills and expertise are really put to the test.

Under their skilled hands, every piece is a one-of-a-kind creation. For the jerseys that are in good condition, the association auctions them off to be worn again.

Chang Li-hsin
Taoyuan climate change division chief
There are currently 330 jerseys that are in good condition that we donated to the Xuan Yi association. Next year, we’ll continue working with the Rakuten baseball team to host sustainability programs. Keep these programs going. And also craft them into small items for fans, allowing the fans to try for themselves.

This association adds new value to ordinary secondhand clothing. They stress that maintaining an environmental philosophy while doing charity work can hopefully result in even more creative products going forward.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#charity #RakutenMonkeys #Taoyuan #tailor #recycling #secondhand #repurpose #secondhandclothing #bags #creative

2025-12-17

Taiwan achieves +90% diagnosis and treatment rate for hepatitis C

Taiwan’s public health sector has reached a new milestone in preventing and treating hepatitis C. The country has met the World Health Organization’s standards for gold tier certification under a framework to eliminate the disease. The good news was announced at a press conference on Wednesday. At the event, President Lai Ching-te thanked Taiwan’s health officials, both present and former, for their hard work. Let’s hear more.

Lai Ching-te
President
This year, Taiwan is set to set another milestone in the history of international public health. In our battle to eliminate hepatitis C, we have reached the targets set by the WHO five years ahead of the 2030 target, becoming leaders in Asia. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank health authorities in the central and local governments, medical institutions, civic organizations and all my fellow compatriots. It’s because of our united efforts that we could achieve this wonderful result.

Chen Chien-jen
Former Vice President
We were able to succeed thanks to good planning. When we stand united, every person is an unsung hero.

Chen Shih-chung
Minister Without Portfolio
It’s fantastic. It benefits our people and saves a great deal in medical costs. Drugs for hepatitis C are very expensive, but the disease can be cured. It’s all beneficial for everyone’s health, and to reduce medical expenditure.

Taiwan once had a significant number of hepatitis C patients, and the disease was the second-deadliest liver disease in the country. But Taiwan turned things around as it responded to a WHO campaign to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. It established a designated agency for the cause in 2016 and launched precision public health policies focusing on prevention measures at the local level. The efforts have finally proven fruitful, resulting in a diagnosis and treatment rate of more than 90%.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#hepatitis #hepatitisc #publichealth #medicine

2025-12-17

Fervent Chinese nationalists spam boba shop with one-star reviews

A bubble tea shop in Czechia became the victim of fervent Chinese nationalism when it got hit with an onslaught of one-star reviews on Google. It wasn’t because the drinks were bad; the trigger was the merch. Specifically, a black hoodie with the store’s logo at the front and text saying "We support Taiwan" written in traditional Chinese characters. The owner said his fondness for Taiwan was a result of the Taiwanese customers he’s served, who have been nothing but kind to him over the years.

A boba shop in Czechia was flooded in one-star reviews by fervent Chinese nationalists, all for the store’s merch, which says, “We support Taiwan.” The little pinks of course read that as support for “Taiwan independence,” also their sorest spot.

Tomas Dinh
Boba shop owner
We support Taiwan, so all of the Taiwanese came to us. But at the same time, the Chinese came to us. And they just came to us and take a photo and make a review. A lot of reviews Google has deleted, because it’s pure hate. They came in, and even their kids want to buy the drink, but they just say, “no, no.” And it’s hard to… not being very nice to us.

One of the shop’s Instagram post features the hoodie emblazoned with ribbons with the text “Taiwanese who value democracy and freedom” and “strong and independent Taiwan soul.” Additional captions included “We support Taiwan” and “Taiwan belongs to the Taiwanese.” Many Taiwanese flocked to the store’s Google Maps page to give five-star reviews in appreciation.

Tomas Dinh
Boba shop owner
I feel like people were very warm and I feel very happy about it, how so many people support us. And it isn’t saying anything against China or something. It just says “Go, Taiwan,” right? It’s about freedom, free speech, and it doesn’t matter if anybody makes pressure to Taiwan. It doesn’t matter if it’s…

The shop owner also expressed gratitude to Taiwanese customers who have visited his shop and given advice on how to improve the offerings, which he said is even more invaluable as he has never visited Taiwan.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#lootea #czechia #taiwan #freedom #democracy #nationalism #bubbletea #boba

2025-12-17

British football fans bring Taiwan flags to match to upset China

2025-12-17

Police officer becomes guardian angel to help young kid cross road

2025-12-17

Romance scam victim sold gold to pay NT$380,000 for juices

2025-12-17