In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a terminally ill woman in Taiwan, identified only by her surname Wang, has fallen victim to a cruel scam orchestrated by a supposed ‘spiritual growth’ group. The cult, led by individuals named Zhang and Chen, preyed on Wang’s vulnerability as she battled cancer, manipulating her into parting with over NT$13 million (approximately $420,000 USD).
The woman’s ordeal began in August 2013 when she joined the group, seeking spiritual development. However, the path to enlightenment quickly devolved into a series of humiliating and exploitative rituals. Participants were reportedly coerced into degrading acts, including public displays of submission like licking others’ toes and enduring physical punishment, all under the guise of ‘purification’.
Adding to the disturbing nature of the cult’s activities, Wang and her son were allegedly forced into same-sex marriages in 2021, only to be compelled to divorce their spouses the following year. One former member recounted a particularly harrowing experience of being beaten until she agreed to divorce her husband, subsequently being forced into a marriage with Wang.
The cult leaders reportedly maintained control through intense fear and psychological manipulation. Chen is quoted as having told Wang, “You are going to die, even the gods cannot save you. Ultimately, your family will be torn apart, death is inevitable and you will die with resentment, unable to close your eyes, unable to be reincarnated.” This insidious tactic aimed to ensure compliance and prevent any challenges to their authority.
Financial exploitation was central to the group’s operations. To ascend to the title of ‘Energy Purification Master,’ members were required to pay NT$2 million (around $65,000 USD). Disobedience was met with fines, such as NT$1,000 (about $32 USD) for missing a phone call. Fearing her illness would worsen if she defied them, Wang continued to attend and pay until March 2023. Over the years, she handed over NT$6.8 million (approximately $222,000 USD), while her son contributed NT$6.5 million. The immense financial strain forced the son to sell their family home to meet the cult’s demands.
The devastating realization of the fraud came in April 2024, after Wang and her son sought legal counsel. They subsequently filed a lawsuit against Zhang and Chen, seeking compensation for the extensive damages. The accused leaders attempted to defend their actions by claiming the family attended voluntarily for a decade and that spiritual outcomes were unprovable scientifically. However, the court sided with the victims, ordering the two women to pay a combined NT$13.3 million (approximately $434,000 USD) in damages. It remains uncertain if criminal charges will be pursued against Zhang and Chen.