Taipei, Taiwan: A wealthy Taipei woman suffered a fraud of NT$19 million ($833,630).

She was told the money was needed to prove her innocence in a NT$2.5 billion laundering case, local media reported yesterday.

The 63-year-old victim, surnamed Wang, received a phone call from a woman who claimed to be a nurse in a hospital on Mar 2.

Wang was told that a male identity thief intended to pay for his medical costs in her name; the hospital had reported the case to the police, who would contact her soon.

However, the medical expense case suddenly turned into a laundering case of NT$2.5 billion when another man, pretending to be a police officer, took over the phone a few minutes later, saying she was involved in a laundering case as her identity was abused by others.

She was later asked to pay US$600,000 ($840,579, NT$19 million) if she wanted to prove her innocence.

The woman withdrew NT$19 million cash and gave it to the three con artists, two males and one female, in front of a supermarket.

When she only received a receipt of financial custody from a court later, she realized the whole event was merely a fraud.

Wang, who lives in a high-grade residence in Taipei City, is believed to become a victim of scam for her affluence.