The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
S4-E32 - The “Demon of Chiayi” - and other true crime tales
Nov 21, 2024
Explore a chilling array of true crime tales that reveal the dark side of life insurance in Taiwan. From absurd insurance scams involving self-mutilation to the infamous 'Demon of Chiayi,' a serial killer with a disturbing legacy, the stories are both shocking and darkly humorous. Delve into the case of Lin Yu-Ju, whose gambling addiction led to murder, and the complexities surrounding the only female death row inmate in Taiwan. These narratives not only entertain but also provoke thought about justice and morality in society.
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Insurance Fraud Gone Wrong
- In 2000, a Taichung man named Huang Zunming attempted insurance fraud by staging the severing of his own hand.
- His plan failed due to inconsistencies in his story and the discovery of the severed hand and katana at his mother's house.
Copycat Insurance Fraud
- Copycat insurance fraud attempts followed Huang's case.
- One man froze his legs with dry ice for 10 hours, falsely claiming frostbite from scooter riding.
The Puli Poisoning Murderer
- Lin Yu-Ju, the "Puli Poisoning Murderer," committed three murders between 2008 and 2009.
- Driven by gambling debts, she poisoned her mother, mother-in-law, and husband, and is currently the only woman on death row in Taiwan.