{
  "id": 5312370,
  "title": "Taiwan couple allegedly ran elaborate scam ring that cheated 20,000 men of S$36 million, punished underperformers with sex acts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/taiwan-couple-allegedly-ran-elaborate-scam-ring-that-cheated-20-000",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T11:24:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/09/taiwan-couple-ai-voice-love-scam/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a high-profile case from Taiwan, a couple faces allegations of orchestrating an extensive romance scam that swindled over 20,000 men out of NT$900 million (S$36 million). The scheme, which began in 2022, allegedly involved the use of attractive women's photos and AI-generated female voices on dating apps to entice victims. Prosecutors allege that the operation was divided among several teams, each with its specific role in defrauding unsuspecting individuals.\n\nThe lead-generation team created romantic profiles on dating platforms using photos and fake identities of women. Once a potential victim showed interest, they were handed over to the new-customer team, who, posing as the women, engaged in online conversations. The team then persuaded the victims to purchase overpriced products, such as fish oil, Antrodia cinnamomea, and power banks, claiming these purchases would aid the women in meeting their sales targets.\n\nAfter establishing a romantic relationship with victims, members of the cultivation team reportedly began requesting gifts, including phones, air purifiers, and hair dryers. Women from the public relations team would sometimes meet victims in person for dates, with sexual encounters reportedly leading to the collection of cash, phones, appliances, and other gifts. The returning-customer team allegedly sought additional funds from victims for living expenses, medical bills, and beauty-related costs, as well as payments for beauty and tattooing courses run by associates.\n\nProsecutors further claim that the group used AI voice-changing software to impersonate women from the public relations team during phone conversations, allowing them to extract even more money from victims. The leaders of the scam were also accused of physically punishing underperforming members, including electrocution with fly swatters and coercion into performing sexual acts. The defendants are charged under the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act, the Money Laundering Control Act, and Criminal Code provisions related to internet fraud involving three or more people. Prosecutors are seeking sentences of at least 25 years for the couple's surnames Huang and Hsu.",
  "summary": "A total of 57 people were charged in connection with the scam.",
  "key_points": [
    "Taiwanese couple allegedly ran romance scam cheating 20,000 men of S$36 million",
    "Scam involved AI-generated female voices and overpriced products",
    "Defendants charged with fraud, money laundering, and internet fraud"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}