Thousands Register for NT$10,000 Cash Handout in Taiwan

Beginning on October 30, 2023, thousands of individuals in Taiwan have registered for a cash handout program initiated by the government. As of 15:00 on the first day of online registration, a total of 707,520 eligible recipients signed up for the NT$10,000 (approximately US$323) cash distribution, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Eligibility and Registration Process

The registration process is open to Taiwanese citizens, foreign permanent residents, and spouses of Taiwanese citizens who possess a national ID or Alien Resident Certificate ending in zero or one. The online registration began at 08:00 and will continue in stages until November 5, 2023. Individuals whose ID numbers end in specific digits can register on designated days: those ending in 2 or 3 can register today, 4 or 5 tomorrow, 6 or 7 on Saturday, and 8 or 9 on Sunday.

After this initial phase, registration will remain open to eligible individuals until April 30, 2024. Starting on November 2, 2023, individuals will also have the option to modify and verify their registration information.

Payments for those who complete registration before November 7, 2023 are expected to be disbursed between that Tuesday and Wednesday. For individuals registering on or after November 7, payments will be processed within two business days.

Payment Collection and Safety Precautions

Eligible recipients can also collect the cash handout without registering online. The funds will be available at ATMs starting from November 17, 2023, and at post offices beginning on November 24, 2023. In light of the program, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Digital Affairs have issued warnings regarding potential phishing scams. They remind the public that the government will not send announcements via text message or email, nor will it request ATM transfers.

In a related incident, the Shilin District Prosecutors’ Office reported that a man has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a victim out of more than NT$3 million. The suspect, identified as Chang (張), allegedly posed as postal and police officials to manipulate the victim into transferring funds under false pretenses.

Authorities indicated that Chang contacted the victim last month, claiming her identity had been used to apply for the cash handout. He then falsely warned her that her bank account was involved in a money laundering investigation, instructing her to transfer funds to an account he provided. Chang, aged 25, has been charged with fraud and money laundering and is considered a high risk for colluding with accomplices or repeating similar crimes.

Prosecutors have cautioned that there may be additional victims and are continuing their investigations. They urge the public to exercise vigilance and report any suspicious calls or messages related to the cash handout program, advising against sharing personal banking information.