TAIPEI: Over 10 Taiwan celebrities, including veteran television host Pauline Lan, were cheated of about NT$17 million (S$715,500) in total, by a swindler who claimed she was "connected" and could get them massive discounts on goods ranging from cars to digital devices, reported Taiwan media.

The swindler, who was arrested by Taiwan police in October, had made her way into the entertainment industry after befriending Taiwan celebrity Jessica Song in February by promising to get her advertisement deals.

She then started to call herself "an old friend of Jessica Song" and used her relationship with Song to cheat her fellow stars.

The swindler offered to obtain expensive items at deep discounts in exchange for a cash down-payment, but vanished once the celebrities paid her.

Lan reportedly lost about NT$932,000 (S$39,200) when the swindler ran off with the money, instead of using it to buy a Mini Cooper on her behalf.

Taiwan authorities said they are currently on the lookout for the swindler's accomplices.

Source
Wow, even the rich are cheap, shouldn't they know that these discounts are too good to be true?