Receiving a police notice or a summons from a district prosecutors' office or court can be stressful, especially when the alleged offense involves fraud, money laundering, or providing a bank account to another person.

Many people wonder: "I only lent my bank account to a friend. Why am I being investigated?" or "If I never received any money, do I still need a lawyer?"

Receiving a police notice or criminal summons does not mean you have been found guilty. However, ignoring the notice may additional legal risks.

 

Under Taiwan's criminal procedure, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Statements made during police questioning, financial transaction records, and communications may all become important evidence.

➠ Before attending an interview, confirm the issuing authority, your procedural status, and the scheduled date. Preparing a clear timeline and preserving relevant records may help avoid misunderstandings during the investigation.

 

1. Police Notices vs. Prosecutor and Court Summons

 1. What Is a Police Interview Notice in Taiwan? 

Under Article 71-1 of Taiwan's Code of Criminal Procedure, police may notify criminal suspects to appear for questioning when investigating suspected offenses or collecting evidence.

➠ If a suspect fails to appear without a legitimate reason after receiving a lawful notice, police may request that a prosecutor issue a warrant for compulsory appearance.

Police may also contact witnesses who possess information relevant to an investigation.

Before attending, check whether the document identifies you as a criminal suspect, defendant, or witness, and confirm the responsible authority, case description, date, time, and location.

 

 2. What Is a Prosecutor or Court Summons? 

➠ A summons issued by a district prosecutors' office or court is a formal procedural document specifying when and where the recipient must appear.

➠ A defendant who fails to comply with a lawful summons without a legitimate reason may face compulsory appearance.

If hospitalization, unavoidable travel, or another legitimate circumstance prevents attendance, contact the responsible clerk or authority promptly to explain the situation and ask about rescheduling.

Do not simply ignore the summons.

 

 3. How to Identify Fake Police or Prosecutor Notices 

Fraudsters sometimes impersonate police officers or prosecutors and demand that individuals add a messaging account, participate in video questioning, provide online banking passwords, disclose verification codes, or transfer money.

Do not follow such instructions without verification.

➠ Use contact information independently obtained from an official government website to confirm the authenticity of the notice and the identity of the responsible authority.

 

2. Where Will Fraud and Money Laundering Investigations Take Place?

 1. Bank Account Fraud Cases 

Cases involving the provision of bank accounts, ATM cards, or online banking credentials may sometimes be coordinated by police authorities associated with the suspect's registered residence.

However, investigative arrangements vary according to the circumstances.

Receiving a notice from a police department outside your home city does not automatically mean the notice is invalid.

 

 2. Money Mule and Cash Collection Cases 

Where an investigation involves ATM withdrawals, face-to-face cash collection, package collection, or transferring criminal proceeds, the location of the alleged activity may be relevant to investigative coordination.

Article 5 of Taiwan's Code of Criminal Procedure concerns court jurisdiction and should not be treated as a rule automatically determining which police station must conduct questioning.

➠ If the scheduled location is inconvenient, contact the responsible authority to confirm the case details and ask whether an alternative interview arrangement is possible.

 

3. Preparing Evidence Before Police Questioning

 1. a Timeline of Events 

Fraud and money laundering investigations often involve comparisons between bank transactions, withdrawal records, communications, and the timing of the suspect's interactions with other individuals.

Before questioning, prepare a chronological account of when you first contacted the other person, how the job, loan, or investment arrangement was explained, when account information was provided, and when money was received, withdrawn, or transferred.

Also record when you discovered suspicious activity or account restrictions.If a date or amount is uncertain, do not guess. Identify the information that needs to be verified through supporting records.

 

 2. Preserve Original Documents and Communications 

Relevant evidence may include complete messaging histories, employment advertisements, loan applications, bank statements, transaction receipts, contracts, police reports, and records showing your whereabouts.

Preserve the original materials rather than deleting, editing, or selectively retaining conversations.Do not coordinate statements with other individuals involved in the investigation.

➠ If another person may still have access to your bank account, contact the bank promptly and retain the communication records.

 

4. Your Rights During Police Questioning

 1. The Right to Remain Silent and Retain a Lawyer 

Under Taiwan's Code of Criminal Procedure, criminal suspects and defendants have important procedural rights.

These include being informed of the suspected offense, the right to remain silent, the right to retain defense counsel, and the right to request investigation of favorable evidence.

➠ These protections also apply to police questioning of criminal suspects.

During the investigation, defense counsel may generally attend questioning, take notes, and express opinions, subject to applicable statutory restrictions.

 

 2. Review the Police Interview Record Before Signing 

During questioning, answer according to your actual knowledge and recollection.

➠ If you cannot remember a particular date, transaction amount, or conversation, explain that you are uncertain or need to review records.

Do not speculate merely to complete the interview more quickly.

Before signing the interview record, carefully review each section to ensure that it accurately reflects your statements.

➠ If anything is incorrect or incomplete, request corrections or additions before signing.

 

5. Bank Account Providers vs. Money Mules

 1. Providing a Bank Account to Another Person 

Where the investigation concerns a bank account provided to another person, investigators may examine how the account was transferred, whether ATM cards or passwords were shared, whether compensation was received, and what explanation the recipient gave for using the account.

Article 22 of Taiwan's Money Laundering Control Act regulates the provision of certain financial accounts and account credentials to others, with criminal liability arising under specified circumstances.

However, the fact that an account received suspicious payments does not automatically establish that the account holder committed fraud or money laundering.

Each alleged offense must be assessed according to its own statutory elements and supporting evidence.

 

 2. Acting as a Money Mule or Cash Collector 

A money mule investigation may involve withdrawing cash, collecting payments from victims, receiving packages, or transferring money to other individuals.

Investigators may focus on the source of instructions, the defendant's actual responsibilities, how the funds were handled, whether compensation was promised, and what the defendant understood about the arrangement.

Statements such as "I did not receive all the money" or "I was only following instructions" may not fully address the relevant legal questions.

The defendant's actual conduct, knowledge, and relationship to the alleged criminal activity must be examined together with objective evidence.

 

6. How a Taoyuan Fraud and Money Laundering Lawyer Can Help

 1. Legal Assistance Before Police Questioning 

Chien Sheng International Law Firm , led by attorney Wang Sheng-Chieh, focuses on criminal defense matters, including fraud and money laundering investigations in Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Individuals who receive police notices or prosecutors' office summons involving flagged bank accounts, account transfers, money mule activities, or face-to-face cash collection may benefit from legal review before questioning.

A lawyer may assist in identifying the nature of the notice, confirming the individual's procedural status, reviewing financial transactions and communications, and evaluating the relevant criminal allegations.

 

 2. Representation During Police and Prosecutorial Questioning 

Depending on the circumstances, legal counsel may accompany clients during police questioning or prosecutorial interviews and help prepare written explanations supported by relevant evidence.

Early preparation may help clarify the individual's actual role and ensure that important information is presented accurately.Receiving a notice does not determine the final outcome of the case.

➠ However, understanding the allegations, preserving evidence, and exercising procedural rights are important steps in responding to a criminal investigation.

Chien Sheng International Law Firm provides criminal defense consultations and legal representation. Case outcomes depend on the facts, evidence, and applicable law, and no particular prosecutorial disposition or judgment can be guaranteed.

 

7. Frequently Asked Questions About Fraud and Money Laundering Summons in Taiwan

 Q1: Does receiving a police notice mean I am guilty of fraud? 

No. A police notice means that authorities seek information or questioning in connection with an investigation. Criminal guilt must be established through the applicable legal process.

 Q2: Can I ignore a prosecutor's summons in Taiwan? 

No. Failure to appear without a legitimate reason after lawful summons may result in compulsory appearance. Contact the issuing authority promptly if you have a legitimate scheduling conflict.

 Q3: Can I bring a lawyer to police questioning? 

Yes. Criminal suspects generally have the right to retain defense counsel, and lawyers may attend questioning subject to statutory requirements and exceptions.

 Q4: What if I only lent my bank account to a friend? 

The legal consequences depend on why the account was provided, what the account holder knew, how the account was used, and whether the conduct satisfies the elements of any alleged offense.

 Q5: Can I be charged with money laundering if I never received the stolen money? 

Potentially. Personally receiving criminal proceeds is not always required for criminal liability. The actual conduct, intent, and applicable statutory elements must be examined.

 Q6: What documents should I bring to a fraud investigation interview? 

Relevant materials may include the police notice or summons, bank statements, complete communications, employment or loan records, transaction receipts, and documents explaining the timeline.

 Q7: Can a Taoyuan criminal defense lawyer accompany me to a police station outside Taoyuan? 

Legal representation is not necessarily limited to the lawyer's office location. The practical arrangements depend on the case, the responsible authority, and the lawyer's availability.

 

8. Conclusion: Prepare Before Responding to a Fraud or Money Laundering Investigation

Receiving a police notice or criminal summons involving fraud, money laundering, or bank account transfers does not automatically mean that you have committed a crime.

However, failing to respond appropriately may unnecessary procedural risks.

➠ The first steps are to verify the notice, confirm whether you are being questioned as a witness or suspect, organize a clear timeline, and preserve original financial and communication records.

Whether the case concerns providing a bank account, acting as a money mule, or collecting cash on behalf of another person, criminal liability must be assessed according to the individual's actual conduct and knowledge.

 

If you are facing a fraud or money laundering investigation in Taoyuan, consulting a qualified criminal defense lawyer before questioning may help you understand your rights and prepare an appropriate response.

 

※ This article provides general information about Taiwan's criminal procedure and fraud-related offenses. It does not constitute individualized legal advice or guarantee a particular outcome.

 

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