The student, surnamed He, told police that he had found a date on an internet dating website who agreed to meet him in person.

The date then requested He to transfer funds from his bank account to a specified account through an ATM machine at which He agreed.

He proceeded to transfer his entire savings plus money that he borrowed from his mother, who is a junior high school teacher in Taipei.

He was later told to give his ATM card to the date through a taxi driver.

Before long, He found that his account had been suspended with bank officials telling him that his account had been used as part of a fraud operation.

He was questioned by police and released.

He’s mother said that she had agreed to lend her son money as He has been in good behavior, but said that she hopes the incident can serve as a lesson for He to beware of meeting friends on the internet.