A man lost his legs after freezing them with dry ice for 10 hours in a bizarre plan to get $1.3M in insurance payout.
In a shocking case from Taiwan, a man named Chang has been charged with insurance fraud.
He allegedly attempted to claim over $1.3 million by deliberately causing frostbite to his legs.
This unusual plan involved immersing his limbs in dry ice for an extended period.
Man soaked legs in dry ice for 10 hours, resulting in the amputation of lower limbs
Chang, who is 24 years old, reportedly kept his legs in dry ice, which reaches temperatures as low as -78.5°C, for about ten hours.
This extreme action led to the amputation of his lower legs due to severe frostbite.
Investigators say that Chang planned to receive a hefty insurance payout following the injuries.
Initially, Chang claimed he suffered frostbite from a scooter accident just days before the incident with the dry ice.
However, evidence gathered by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office raised significant doubts about his story.
His friend also embarked on the bizarre plan to scam a $1.3M insurance payout
Authorities discovered that Chang was assisted by a friend, Liao, who is also 24 years old.
It is alleged that Liao helped Chang prepare the dry ice and even secured him to a chair with cable ties during the process.
According to prosecutors, Liao documented the bizarre event from 2 AM until noon on January 27, 2023.
After Chang’s legs were amputated, he and Liao attempted to claim more than $7,000 from an insurance company.
They aimed to collect from several firms, totaling around $1.3M in claims. However, many companies quickly became suspicious and refused to pay out.
Officials indicated suspicious things in Chang’s claims to get $1.3M in insurance payout.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Taiwan pointed out several inconsistencies in Chang’s story.
They noted that the weather conditions on the day of the alleged scooter accident were too warm for frostbite to occur naturally.
A CIB spokesperson said: “However, Taiwan is a subtropical region.
“There are no known cases of serious frostbite requiring amputation due to natural climate factors in the flatlands.”
Temperatures ranged from 6.1°C to 17°C, which is not cold enough to cause such severe injuries.
Furthermore, medical images taken at the hospital revealed that Chang’s frostbite injuries were symmetrical, a pattern unusual for typical frostbite cases.
Investigators suggested that the injuries appeared to be intentionally inflicted, as Chang was not wearing socks or shoes during the incident.
During a police raid, authorities found the bucket that Chang allegedly used to hold the dry ice and a polystyrene box containing the dry ice.
This evidence further supported the theory of premeditated fraud.
The background of the suspects
Reports indicate that Chang and Liao have been friends since childhood.
Their long-standing relationship may have played a role in their decision to collaborate on this fraudulent scheme.
Both have now been charged with insurance fraud and attempted insurance fraud.
The case has drawn significant media attention, highlighting the lengths some individuals will go to for financial gain.
Insurance fraud is a serious crime, and the consequences can be severe.
In this case, Chang’s extreme actions have not only resulted in physical injuries but also legal repercussions.