Pet clothing vendor suspected of stealing photos to defraud others of funds is charged with extortion and intimidation | Fidelity Law Firm's criminal lawyer explains relevant criminal law provisions regarding fraud and intimidation.

Case Background and Legal Disputes

Pet clothing vendor suspected of stealing photos to defraud people of funds has been charged with extortion and kidnapping. | Mirror News reporters Gong Pinrou and Zhang Jiayu

We continue to track this consumer dispute case. At that time, buyers became suspicious because the business owner published an article in mid-June claiming to have picked up an injured kitten and hoped that buyers would help raise 90,000 yuan for medical expenses. However, some sharp-eyed people discovered that , this photo is exactly the same as the Chinese news two years ago, questioning her for using fake photos to defraud money, but the business owner who was accused has still not sent the goods or refunded, but continued to broadcast live broadcasts to clarify, and even flashed a knife in front of the camera. Make buyers worried and scared.

A criminal lawyer at Fidelity Law Firm stated that if fraud is used to induce someone to hand over money, the crime of fraud is established, and even if the fraudster later returns the money, it will not absolve them of criminal liability for fraud. Furthermore, if someone brandishes a knife during a live stream or even threatens suicide to intimidate viewers, and this causes panic, it may constitute the crime of intimidation and endangering public safety under criminal law, which carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for up to two years, detention, or a fine of up to NT$9,000.

# Crime of Fraud # Crime of Intimidation and Endangering Safety # Taipei Lawyer

Opinion of Fidelity Law Firm

What should be confirmed first when encountering similar cases?

• First, organize the event timeline, notices, contracts, chat logs, photos, videos, and payment information.
• Confirm the current stage of the process: it may be just a consultation, you may have been interviewed, you may have received a summons, you may have entered into court proceedings, or you may need to file a lawsuit to seek compensation.
• Assess whether there are immediate risks such as statute of limitations, evidence preservation, detention, imprisonment, settlement negotiations, or media exposure.