College Student with Leg Amputations Tried to Collect $1.3 Million Payout, But Investigators Say He Did the Unthinkable with Dry Ice

One Taiwanese man’s effort to bilk insurance companies of more than a million dollars has left him facing criminal charges after the scheme he allegedly concocted led to the amputation of both legs below the knees.

The college student’s name is only given as Chang. He claimed that he suffered frostbite on his legs riding his scooter around 🇹🇼Taiwan, according to the Taiwan News, and tried to collect about $1.3 million in insurance money.

But 🇹🇼Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau said their investigation showed that long-term exposure to dry ice led to the severe frostbite and necrosis that forced doctors to amputate his lower legs.

The indictment says that Chang and a friend named Liao acquired the dry ice on January 26, 2023.

Change then sat bound to a chair for more than 10 hours while his feet were in a bucket filled with dry ice, investigators allege.

Liao recorded and photographed the session, officials charged.

Chang was hospitalized two days later. After several days, the amputations took place.

Although some insurance companies paid claims, the fact that insurance was purchased from several companies just before the incident gave rise to suspicions, according to