In a shocking case of insurance fraud, a Taiwanese university student attempted to claim a staggering NT$41 million (S$1.7 million) by alleging that he lost his feet to frostbite. However, investigators soon uncovered a bizarre scheme involving the man soaking his feet in dry ice for over 10 hours to simulate severe frostbite, ultimately leading to a double amputation.
The student, identified as Chang, colluded with his former high school classmate, surnamed Liao, to execute this audacious deception. Chang meticulously researched insurance policies covering disabilities, injuries, health, and travel safety from at least five insurers.
To lend credibility to his injuries, Liao encouraged Chang to immerse his feet in a bucket of dry ice for an extended period. Allegedly, Liao even restrained Chang to a chair to ensure he endured the pain of the ice burn.
Following the prolonged exposure to dry ice, Chang’s legs became swollen, leading to his hospitalization and subsequent below-the-knee amputation. Chang then submitted insurance claims and managed to obtain NT$230,000 from one insurer.
However, the dates of Chang’s policy purchases and the timeline of his alleged injury raised suspicions among other insurers, prompting them to report the case to local authorities. The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office launched an investigation, which revealed several inconsistencies and abnormalities in Chang’s claims.
Investigators discovered that Chang’s frostbite injuries exhibited abnormal symmetry and lacked impressions from his shoes or socks. Furthermore, meteorological data indicated that the temperatures on the alleged night of the incident ranged between 6°C and 17°C, which were insufficient to cause frostbite.
Evidence retrieved from the possessions of Chang and Liao included medical records, insurance policy documents, eight mobile phones, a styrofoam box for dry ice, and a green plastic bucket used by Chang to soak his feet. Further inquiries revealed that Liao, facing financial difficulties due to cryptocurrency losses, coerced Chang into signing a promissory note worth NT$25 million, a significant portion of the potential insurance payout. Liao masterminded the amputation scheme to alleviate his financial woes.
Legal Consequences
On March 14, the Criminal Investigation Bureau announced that both men would face charges of fraud, with Liao additionally charged with causing serious injuries. Their ill-gotten gains were confiscated, and they will now have to face the legal consequences of their actions.