Taiwan police say 800 arrested over phone scams

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwanese police said Thursday they have arrested 800 suspected phone scammers in raids coordinated with police in China and seven Southeast Asian countries.

Taiwan's Crime Investigation Bureau said the suspects, including about 300 Taiwanese and 500 Chinese, were arrested Wednesday at 166 locations across Asia.

In a statement on its website, the bureau said those arrested were suspected of swindling more than 200 million yuan ($31 million) from mostly Chinese and Taiwanese victims.

In a typical scam, they placed phone calls in the guise of law-enforcement officials and fooled the victims into transferring funds to clear themselves of false drug or …