Investment trap, even artists fall victim.
Recently, incidents of celebrities being scammed have resurfaced. (Cryptocurrency City) reported in August this year that artist Guo Yanjun candidly admitted on the Eight Comprehensive Channel program (WTO Sisterhood) that five or six years ago, he fell for a cryptocurrency mining investment, losing a seven-figure amount within a few months, equivalent to the down payment for a house in Taipei's Eastern District. According to the court judgment, Guo Yanjun ultimately lost about 5.12 million TWD. This prolonged scam experience has raised social concerns about 'high-return guaranteed' investment schemes, with some criticizing scammers for exploiting light legal sentences to empty investors' pockets, resulting in countless families suffering.
Source: Judicial Yuan. From the judgment document, it can be seen that Guo Yanjun invested 5.5 million, ultimately receiving only 380,000 in profit sharing.
Guo Yanjun expressed during an interview that he was 'really at a loss'. He revealed that he initially believed his friend's slogan of '18% annual stable profit', coinciding with heavy mortgage pressures, hoping to ease his financial burden; who would have thought that after a short period of profit sharing, the group began to delay for various reasons, and three months later, the core figures behind it were arrested. However, the scam had long since transferred the stolen money overseas, making it difficult for investors to recover their principal. 'Victims keep falling into the trap one after another; they are truly excellent performers, the script is even more perfect than the Golden Bell Awards,' Guo Yanjun said angrily.
Investment in 'Ethereum mining machine' scam, siphoning off large sums of money
According to the judgment document released by the court, this scam was carried out through a collaborative model by a company named 'Fani Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.', attracting investors to purchase equipment and provide mining services through 'Ethereum mining machine investments', but no mining machines were actually set up. Instead, they fabricated false profit sharing through a 'backing the front with the back' method. Guo Yanjun invested about 5.5 million TWD but only received back a little over 380,000 in profit sharing, ultimately losing 5.12 million TWD.
Source: Judicial Yuan. The scam itself did not set up any mining machines but fabricated false profit sharing through a 'backing the front with the back' method.
Artists becoming victims heightens vigilance against such high-return investment scams. Judicial documents show that Fani Innovation raised funds from hundreds of people, with the scam amount reaching tens of billions; before being caught, most funds had long been transferred overseas, and the main suspects only served a few years in prison domestically, and after release, could continue to enjoy the huge stolen funds stored abroad. 'It's really too light, a few years of prison time exchanged for tens of billions, this is simply unfair!' Guo Yanjun called on legislators to amend the law and impose harsher penalties on scam groups.
Don't believe in 'guaranteed high profits,' experts urge fraud prevention.
Guo Yanjun also shared his experience, reminding investors to be cautious: 'Is there really such a good deal in the world? Others with money will not share it with you, and if there really was such a good deal, how could it be loudly advertised?' He suggested that those interested in investing should turn to legal channels such as banks and not easily believe guarantees of 'capital protection with monthly returns of several percent.' If the promised return is above 5%, one should be especially vigilant. In light of the recent surge in scam cases, the police also urged the public to verify any information regarding high investment returns before acting, and to consult banks or professionals; especially if the other party requests a large one-time remittance, one should be particularly cautious.
Further Reading
Was I scammed by cryptocurrency? A self-help guide for cryptocurrency fraud
In addition to the Guo Yanjun case, various age groups in society have frequently experienced scams: for example, retired elderly individuals falling into investment traps and losing everything, while some have ended their lives due to unbearable life pressures after being deceived.
Guo Yanjun expressed indignation, saying: 'Too many families have been ruined; what we see now is just the tip of the iceberg!' He emphasized the need to make more people aware that 'high returns equal high risks' and called on society to face this issue together. 'I hope legislators can crack down on scams, and not let bad people go unpunished.'
From Guo Yanjun's experience, it's not surprising that celebrities fall victim to scams; it reflects the overall investment environment and insufficient regulation. When facing investment opportunities, the public not only needs to maintain a cautious mindset but also expects the government to amend laws to combat scams and increase criminal penalties, so that these 'perfect script' criminals receive the punishment they deserve, preventing more families from falling into tragedy.
'Down payment for a house evaporates! Guo Yanjun reveals he was scammed out of 5.12 million by fake mining, calling on legislators: hurry to amend the law.' This article was first published on 'Cryptocurrency City.'