18-3-2024 (TAIPEI) A man from Taiwan has resorted to extreme measures in an attempt to fraudulently claim a hefty insurance payout. The individual, identified as a 24-year-old man surnamed Zhang, allegedly soaked his legs in dry ice for a staggering 10 hours, leading to the subsequent amputation of his limbs. The motive behind this bizarre act was to deceive insurers and receive a substantial sum of S$1.7 million.
The incident came to light when Zhang and his friend, Liao, embarked on a motorcycle trip across various locations in Taiwan on January 26, 2023. Among the places they visited were Yangmingshan National Park and the Tamsui District. Unfortunately, the cold weather conditions during their excursion resulted in Zhang suffering from severe frostbite, ultimately leading to the amputation of his legs below the knee.
Taking advantage of his recent insurance policies with prominent insurers like Prudential, Shin Kong, and AIA, Zhang proceeded to file eight disability claims, amounting to an astonishing total of NT$41.26 million (equivalent to S$1.74 million). However, suspicions were raised about the legitimacy of Zhang’s claims, prompting an investigation by the authorities.
Upon scrutiny, meteorological data from observatories in Yangmingshan and Tamsui revealed that the temperatures on the day of Zhang’s trip ranged between 6°C and 17°C, which was insufficient to cause frostbite. Moreover, given Taiwan’s subtropical climate, cases of severe frostbite resulting in amputations due to natural climate factors are virtually unheard of, making Zhang’s claims highly dubious.
Further examination of Zhang’s insurance policies revealed that they were obtained just days before the ill-fated motorcycle trip, raising further suspicions. Additionally, a review of Zhang’s emergency medical examination photos indicated that his injuries were remarkably symmetrical and lacked any signs of sock or shoe marks. These findings strongly suggested that Zhang’s injuries were intentionally inflicted, rather than a result of natural frostbite.
As the investigation progressed, authorities conducted raids in Taipei City and Yunlin Country, leading to the recovery of key evidence. Among the items seized were a styrofoam box containing dry ice, a plastic bucket that Zhang allegedly used to soak his legs, insurance documents, and several electronic devices, such as mobile phones and a tablet computer. Consequently, both Zhang and Liao were arrested and faced charges related to fraud and assisting in self-inflicted harm.
During questioning, Zhang denied any involvement in insurance fraud, claiming that Liao had coerced him by suggesting that he had offended individuals in the criminal underworld. Liao allegedly proposed that Zhang send photos of his legs immersed in dry ice to appease the gangsters while simultaneously making an insurance claim. However, prosecutors dismissed this explanation and proceeded with charging both individuals for their alleged crimes.
