TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Book publisher Cheng Ting (鄭莛) was reportedly mistaken for a Chinese fugitive and detained for four hours at Frankfurt Airport in Germany, media reported Thursday.

She had traveled to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair but was stopped at passport control after failing an automated facial-recognition check, CNA said. Officials questioned her identity and accused her of being a Chinese fugitive despite her repeated explanations that she is Taiwanese.

Police refused her requests to contact diplomatic missions and claimed her passport was fake because they could not find the passport number in their system. She described the experience as frightening and like a crime drama.

During questioning, police inspected her phone and found her Instagram story and other evidence showing she was who she claimed to be. A membership card with a signature matching her passport helped confirm her identity.

She was released after four hours of questioning. Even so, she was asked to sign consent forms restricting her freedom.

“I am not sure why it took so long,” Cheng reportedly commented. “All they had to do was pick up the phone and call the Taiwan representative office.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is investigating the incident and is seeking clarification from German authorities to assist Cheng.