Recently, advertisements claiming that Star Airlines is giving away limited-edition Snoopy collaboration suitcases for free, circulated on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The ads boasted that individuals could simply provide their personal information to receive the suitcase, which led to many people clicking and participating, only to later discover it was a carefully designed online scam.
A resident of Los Angeles for many years, Ms. Sun, told reporters that she followed the instructions in the advertisement and even added the other party’s LINE account. For several days, there was no response until one late night when she suddenly received a LINE call from someone claiming to be the Chairman of Star Airlines, Mr. Zhang Guowei. Ms. Sun realized she had been deceived and exclaimed, “It’s really a well-thought-out scam, how could I have fallen for it?”
Ms. Sun immediately blocked the other party’s account and reported the false advertisement to Facebook. However, she continued to receive similar fraudulent ads in the following days, leaving her to lament the insufficiencies of social platforms in reviewing and preventing scam ads, stating that they “to some extent, actually facilitate the spread of scams.”
Ms. Zhang, who remains highly vigilant against online scams, mentioned watching similar promotional videos where not only were Star Airlines executives impersonated but also paired with so-called “beautiful flight attendants’ recommendations.” Through highly realistic AI-generated images and statements, it is incredibly easy to deceive people. She warned the public, saying, “Nowadays, never be greedy for freebies, those offers that claim to only require a shipping fee are likely all scams.”
In response, Secretary of Legal Affairs at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Mr. Chen Xijie, pointed out that Southern California is one of the most concentrated areas for overseas Taiwanese, making it a prime target for scam groups. He urged compatriots to remain vigilant and proactively remind family and friends: “Prevention is better than cure, refuse to be an ATM for scam groups.”
Mr. Chen analyzed common scam tactics, the first being “impersonating authority for fraud,” where scam groups often pose as police, prosecutors, or regulatory agencies claiming that individuals’ accounts or personal information are involved in money laundering or criminal cases, demanding immediate cooperation under the guise of “confidential investigations that cannot be disclosed to others,” thus creating panic and coercing victims to comply hastily.
He specifically cautioned, “Whether in Taiwan or the United States, government agencies will not handle cases through LINE, video calls, or social media apps.”
The second type is the all-too-familiar “investment fraud.” Scam groups often use investment information, free books, or lifestyle sharing as a pretext to approach victims without initially discussing investments. Once trust is established, they pull victims into investment groups, requiring them to download specific apps or operate designated websites.
The groups are filled with fake accounts, creating the illusion of “everyone profits.” Although the numbers on paper may appear to continuously grow, the funds are difficult to withdraw, ultimately leading to repeated requests for additional investment.
Mr. Chen emphasized that any request to hand over account details, transfer funds abroad or to a third party, or even requests for cash transactions, almost certainly indicate a scam. He urged compatriots to remember the principle, “Why would a genuinely profitable investment seek you out?” and reiterated that being more alert means fewer instances of becoming a victim.
For instance, with activities like “Join a group or click a link to get a free SNOOPY suitcase,” although it may be a company’s promotional event, it is crucial to verify if the activity source is from Star Airlines’ official website or authenticated official social media accounts. If asked to provide detailed personal information or pay shipping fees, there is a high probability of fraudulence, so never easily engage with such requests.
Because scammers steal not just “personal information” but also continuously divert attention with other “benefits,” they trap people deeper. When victims realize the huge losses incurred, it’s often too late to regret it. ◇