Police in Chiayi County stopped a man in his 60s from borrowing millions against his land to feed a fake investment scheme — bad news for the scam ring, good news for the victim who nearly lost far more.

• The man had already wired NT$2 million to an online "investment group" before trying to mortgage his land for NT$13.2 million.
• The scammers promised profits from managing his stocks and "topping up" company accounts, then showed him fake account screens with millions in gains.
• Bank staff flagged the unusually large loan request and called police, who talked him out of it on the spot.
• He then helped set a trap, and the courier sent to collect cash at his home was arrested with a phone, fake ID and receipts.

Outlook: The case goes to Chiayi prosecutors on fraud and money-laundering charges, with police asking that the courier be held in custody.