Jul.11, 2010, 11:48 pm TWN

The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Friday arrested 21 suspects, including the gang leader, in Taichung City for international fraud and money laundering, local media reported yesterday.

In collaboration with Taichung Police, the CIB seized more than NT$3 million cash in unlawful gains, documents of victims' personal information and other items during the raids in 32 locations.

Led by 32-year-old suspect Fang Min-yi, the fraud group targeted victims from China by employing Chinese women to pose as telecom com staff who asked unsuspecting people to pay their overdue phone bills, said the United Evening News.

Victims were later contacted by other suspects under the guise of Chinese authorities who requested they transfer money to an appointed account in China; the illegal money was then channeled back to Taiwan, said the newspaper.

To avoid the police's attention, Fang set up the main control room in the Philippines for operating the scams.

Police estimated the gang had successfully obtained over NT$100 million.