Taiwan busts counterfeit tablet computer ring
台灣偵破假平板電腦集團
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Criminal Investigation Bureau held a press conference on Tuesday, announcing it had broken up a fraud ring using websites such as Shopee to sell fraudulent tablet computers.
The CIB was tipped off by consumers who had purchased the tablets, which broke down shortly after purchase. And for the few tablets that worked, the processor speed and video lag fell below expectations, leading many to suspect a scam. Authorities announced they had apprehended a 38-year-old male surnamed Chen (陳) who had a prior history of fraud and drug use. CIB alleged he imported tablets from China, made with low-specification processors and memory modules with outdated operating systems installed. He then used flash software to reset product details on the tablet's settings page, later repackaging these “white-label” tablets under better-known brand names. The tablets were then distributed from a Taoyuan warehouse and sold through multiple dummy seller accounts provided by associates in China. At the time of Chen's arrest, investigators confiscated 518 fake tablets in five models worth approximately NT$1.65 million (US$56,000). A preliminary check of sales logs revealed that approximately 500 tablets had been sold, with at least two individuals reporting the fraud. The case has been transferred to the Taoyuan District Prosecutor's Office for investigation. The CIB urged the public to be vigilant when purchasing low-cost 3C products online, paying special attention to one-star product reviews such as poor resolution, slow speeds, and hot temperatures may indicate a fake product. The public is encouraged to bring such items to the nearest police station to report them as fraud. Also, consumers can call the National Police Agency's 165 anti-fraud hotline. |
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| Sean Scanlan Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2025-07-16 |
