高齡者詐欺被害歷程之研究

A study on the fraud victimization process of the elderly

臺灣正以快速的步伐邁入超高齡社會，但現有研究多將重心置於如何製造銀髮族經濟浪潮、身心適應或是長照等議題，卻甚少留意高齡者的犯罪被害情形。本文的目的在藉由深入訪談探討高齡者的個人特性如何影響被害歷程及與加害人的互動過程以及被害歷程中，被害者與加害人互動之情境因素。其次，瞭解高齡者因應詐欺被害事件之方式，與刑事司法體系互動之感受，以及被害衝擊。進而探究日常活動理論防衛者角色，在被害歷程中的互動與功能。最後，從文獻回顧與質性資料的蒐集探討被害歷程各個階段因素間之影響，期能提出未來預防作為之介入點與精進措施。
本研究採立意取樣，質性訪談年滿65歲且認知功能正常、非機構住民之高齡者8名，其中3位研究參與者之被害手法為假冒機構公務員，另有3位研究參與者係遭假投資手法詐欺，1位被害手法為猜猜我是誰，1位係因網路交友進而落入假買賣投資的詐欺被害類型，其中6位曾經歷刑事司法程序。
研究發現，被害歷程為一連串互動與回應決策的過程，各個研究參與者的共通性為防詐知識涉獵較少，而高齡者習慣「不去麻煩別人」，較少與他人討論或求助，一旦相信加害人說詞，有能力的防衛者則較難介入發揮作用，強烈的情緒亦影響高齡被害者冷靜判斷的能力。但研究參與者亦因詐欺手法不同而有差異：在假冒機構公務員詐欺類型中，訴諸權威為加害人主要使用之控制策略，利用高齡被害者信任刑事司法體系的特點，互動過程中以製造位階差距及扮演黑臉白臉的情境加深被害者信任；另在假投資詐欺類型中，加害人主要使用的控制策略則為誘之以利，利用高齡者對於財務方面的不安全感，以群組成員分享、虛擬投資網站的獲利數據誘使被害者投入本金。被害衝擊影響最大的層面在於經濟狀況，研究參與者原有財產遭詐殆盡，甚而因此背上負債。在與刑事司法體系的互動部分，不確定即將面對的司法程序及缺少法律資源協助為其共通需求，而刑事司法程序的繁瑣耗時，以及必須四處奔波出庭，卻仍舊未能獲得實際補償，徒增高齡被害者處境之艱難。
針對研究結果，本研究以三級預防概念，提出建議：針對一般高齡者之初級預防策略，透過分層宣導持續強化高齡者之防詐與求證意識、理財規劃與建置友善高齡就業環境以及推動數位科技之學習與涵養並重；針對潛在高風險被害者之次級預防策略，持續堅實公私協力的防詐安全網、主動出擊阻斷可疑電話與網頁連結；避免高齡者重複被害之三級預防策略，相關單位間的合作與資源結合，提供正確的諮詢管道、強化高齡詐欺被害者訴訟參與權益及創造友善高齡、減少汙名化高齡被害者的環境。

Taiwan is rapidly turning into a super-aged society, which signifies not only a demographic shift but also a reshaping of social values and cultural atmosphere. This transition underscores the need for society to pay greater attention to the needs of older adults. Studies have predominantly focused on topics such as creating economic opportunities for older adults, their psychological and physical adaptation, and long-term care. However, the victimization of older adults by crime has been overlooked, particularly the rapidly increasing fraud cases and the needs of older adult victims within the criminal justice system. This study investigated, through in-depth interviews, how the personal characteristics of older adults influence their victimization processes and interactions with perpetrators, along with the situational factors involved in these interactions. It also sought to clarify older adults’ coping mechanisms in response to fraud victimization, their experiences interacting with the criminal justice system, and the impact of victimization. Furthermore, it explored the role and function of guardians in the victimization process as proposed by the routine activity theory. Finally, this study analyzed the factors influencing each stage of the victimization process through literature review and qualitative data, aiming to propose future intervention points and improvement measures for prevention.
Through purposive sampling, qualitative interviews were conducted with eight participants aged 65 or older, who were cognitively intact and non-institutionalized. Among these participants, three were victims of fraud involving impersonation of government officials, another three were deceived by fraudulent investment schemes, one fell victim to the “guess who I am” scam, and one was swindled through fake online friendship leading to a fraudulent investment. In all, six of the participants had undergone criminal justice procedures.
The participants’ victimization processes were characterized by a series of interactions and decision-making responses. A commonality among the participants was their limited knowledge of fraud prevention and their tendency to “not bother others,” resulting in infrequent discussion or seeking help. Once victims trust the perpetrators, it becomes more difficult for capable guardians to intervene effectively, and strong emotions impair the victims’ ability to make calm judgments. Furthermore, situations of the participants varied, which might have led to differences in the fraud techniques employed.In cases involving impersonation of government officials, the perpetrators’ primary control strategy was to appeal to authority, exploiting the victims’ trust in the criminal justice system. During interactions, they created hierarchical differences and employed good cop/bad cop scenarios to gain the victims’ trust.In fraudulent investment schemes, the perpetrators used financial incentives as their main control strategy. They exploited the victims’ financial insecurities by sharing group member experiences and showing fake profit data from virtual investment websites to induce the victims to invest.
The most significant impact of victimization on the participants was on their financial situation, with their original assets being completely swindled, leading to debts. Regarding their interactions with the criminal justice system, common needs included uncertainty about upcoming legal procedures and a lack of legal resourced and assistance. The lengthy and cumbersome judicial process, along with the necessity of frequently attending court sessions without receiving actual compensation, further exacerbated the difficulties and distress faced by the older adult victims.
The following recommendations are presented on the basis of a 3-tiered prevention strategy: (1) Primary prevention for the general older adult population involves stratified advocacy of continuously reinforcing fraud prevention and verification awareness, financial planning, the establishment of an age-friendly employment environment, and the promotion of digital technology learning and literacy. (2) For potential high-risk victims, secondary prevention emphasizes the continual consolidation of a robust public–private partnership fraud prevention network and proactive measures to block suspicious phone calls and website links. (3) To prevent repeat victimization, tertiary prevention requires collaboration and resource integration among relevant agencies to provide accurate consultation channels, enhance the litigation participation rights of older adult fraud victims, and create an age-friendly environment that reduces the stigmatization of these victims.