In one of the most shocking cases of self-inflicted harm driven by greed, a man in Taipei lost both feet after soaking them in dry ice for 10 straight hours in an elaborate attempt to defraud multiple insurance companies. What began as a calculated scheme involving multiple policies and a staged accident quickly unraveled into a gruesome tale of physical agony, deceit, and legal downfall. This bizarre and tragic case has not only horrified the public but also ignited intense online discussions about the limits of desperation and the price of delusion.
Man Loses Both Feet After Soaking Them in Dry Ice
The man at the center of this sensational case, surnamed Zhang, was once just an ordinary undergraduate student living in Taipei. But beneath the surface of his seemingly mundane academic life, a dangerous and delusional plot was taking shape. Zhang began by purchasing a series of insurance policies—eight in total—spanning five different companies and covering a broad range of claims: health, life, accident, long-term care, and travel.
Over the course of nearly two decades, from 2005 to early 2023, he carefully laid the groundwork for what he apparently thought would be a clever and profitable scheme. In January 2023, Zhang enlisted the help of an old secondary school classmate, surnamed Liao.
The two hatched a plan so extreme and self-destructive that it reads more like the plot of a macabre crime thriller than real life. They traveled to New Taipei City and bought large quantities of dry ice—a substance known to cause severe frostbite when it comes into prolonged contact with skin. They then returned to Liao’s home in Taipei’s Zhongshan District, where the plan was set into motion.
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Zhang, either out of greed or blind trust in their plan, willingly placed both of his bare feet into a bucket filled with dry ice. To ensure he wouldn’t instinctively pull away from the excruciating pain, Liao secured him to a chair using plastic straps. It was a grotesque act of self-inflicted torture, as Zhang remained in this position from 2 a.m. until noon—a staggering ten hours.
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Liao, playing his part with disturbing precision, documented the entire ordeal through photographs and videos. The footage wasn’t just for morbid keepsakes—it was meant to serve as evidence in their elaborate deception.
Pain, Amputation, and a Web of Lies
Two days after enduring this horrific ordeal, Zhang finally sought medical attention. By then, the damage was catastrophic. At Mackay Memorial Hospital, doctors diagnosed him with fourth-degree frostbite, which extended below both calves. The cold had penetrated deep into his bones, causing necrosis and leading to life-threatening complications such as sepsis and rhabdomyolysis. His legs were no longer viable. Amputation was the only option left.
But even as he faced the unimaginable consequence of losing both feet, Zhang remained committed to the lie. Alongside Liao, he fabricated a story for the insurance companies: he had allegedly been riding a motorcycle late at night when he suddenly experienced intense cold in his legs, which inexplicably led to frostbite.
The tale was as flimsy as it was implausible, but the duo pressed on, filing claims across the eight insurance policies. Their total ask? A staggering NT$41.26 million, or approximately US$1.4 million.
Only one insurer fell for the deception, paying out NT$236,427 before others began to notice inconsistencies. The remaining four rejected the claims and soon escalated the matter to law enforcement. When all five companies reported the case, the authorities launched a full investigation. What they uncovered left even seasoned prosecutors stunned.
Zhang and Liao were both indicted on multiple charges, including fraud and aiding intentional self-harm resulting in serious injury. During the trial, it became clear that Liao was the driving force behind the scheme. He had orchestrated the entire plan and failed to reach any form of settlement or reconciliation with the affected insurance companies.
Zhang, by contrast, was portrayed as a willing but ultimately manipulated participant—someone who had not only endured immense physical suffering but had also tried to make amends with some of the insurers.
On June 20, the Taiwan High Court handed down its sentences. Zhang received a two-year prison sentence, which was suspended for two years—perhaps a recognition of the price he had already paid in flesh and bone. Liao, however, was sentenced to six years behind bars.
The Internet Reacts: A Warning Tale of Greed and Delusion
The case has ignited a firestorm on social media, with users expressing a mix of horror, disbelief, and anger. In a world where attention spans are short and outrageous stories often come and go, this one has lingered. The sheer extremity of Zhang’s actions—self-amputation by dry ice—has made it unforgettable.
Comments poured in across platforms. “This is completely driven by greed,” one user wrote, encapsulating the sentiment shared by many. Others were more blunt: “A total loss. No money and no feet. He’ll spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, all because of a ridiculous idea.”
The incident has also sparked broader conversations about the risks people are willing to take in pursuit of quick wealth. What could drive a young, educated man to such lengths? Was it desperation? Was it the allure of an easy fortune? Or was it the influence of a cunning manipulator like Liao?
While we may never fully understand the psychological motivations behind Zhang’s actions, the consequences are all too real. Not only has he lost his mobility and independence, but his future is now marked by infamy. He has become a symbol—albeit a tragic one—of the dangers of delusion and the dark side of human ambition.
In Taiwanese society, where insurance fraud is not unheard of but rarely this extreme, the case has prompted renewed scrutiny of how policies are issued and investigated. Insurers are expected to tighten their vetting procedures, while legal experts debate whether current penalties are sufficient to deter such egregious acts.
Meanwhile, the public has taken this as a cautionary tale. “Delulu” has become the ironic rallying cry—a Gen Z term for someone who is delusional, used here not as a joke, but as a grim indictment of a young man who believed he could cheat the system by destroying his own body.
Zhang’s story is not just one of fraud. It is a disturbing account of how far people can be led astray by greed, poor judgment, and misplaced trust. As he navigates a life now confined to a wheelchair, he may have plenty of time to reflect on whether the payout—never received—was worth the pain and permanent loss.
The scars left behind aren’t just physical. They cut deep into Taiwan’s collective consciousness, serving as a reminder that some lines, once crossed, cannot be undone.