Taiwan opens 54 investigations into suspected foreign interference in local elections
Taiwan's Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau said it has opened 54 investigations into suspected foreign election interference and electoral fraud ahead of the 28 November local elections, seizing assets and cash flows linked to more than NT$62.8 billion (about US$2 billion).
- MJIB opened 54 election-related probes, tracing over NT$62.8 billion in suspected illicit cash flows.
- Twenty-five suspects detained pretrial, 70 bailed, and 559 people interviewed across 25 field offices.
- High Prosecutors' Office separately found 212 illicit-flow cases, seizing about NT$909 million.
Taiwanese authorities have opened 54 investigations into suspected foreign election interference and other electoral fraud offences ahead of the 28 November local elections, the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) said.
Special agents are examining allegations of illegal foreign campaign contributions, money laundering and election betting linked to the "nine-in-one" local elections, the bureau said at a press conference in New Taipei City.
The investigations have so far resulted in 25 pretrial detentions and 70 suspects released on bail. Investigators have traced NT$62.8 billion (about US$2 billion) in suspected illegal cash flows connected to breaches of election laws.
A total of 559 people have been interviewed as potential suspects or witnesses, the bureau added.
Huang Wen-yang, head of the MJIB's Criminal Investigation Division, told reporters that authorities had uncovered the 54 cases involving more than NT$62.8 billion in illicit funds.
Focus on lending, betting and shell companies
The bureau said the investigations form part of a wider law enforcement effort to prevent foreign interference in the elections.
Its work is concentrated on unlicensed money lending, election betting, and money launderers operating through shell corporations and so-called virtual buyer groups.
Organisations and groups engaged in such activities often serve as conduits for funds used in election interference by Beijing, the bureau said.
A further objective of the operation is to identify individuals who have benefited from illegal campaign contributions originating from the Chinese government, it added.
Assets seized across 25 field offices
The bureau said it had assigned 25 field offices to the effort. It reported seizing NT$11.19 billion from unregistered moneylenders, NT$4.24 billion from alleged launderers and NT$5.06 billion from alleged tax evaders.
Items seized included NT$153 million in cash and 521 bank accounts holding a combined NT$501 million. Investigators also seized Tether cryptocurrency valued at US$2,184.
Twelve luxury cars valued at NT$23 million were taken, along with luxury fashion accessories valued at NT$9.1 million and watches valued at NT$10 million.
Authorities additionally seized 35 properties valued at NT$101 million. All of the properties and assets were deemed to be proceeds of suspected criminal activity, the bureau said.
Warning to candidates and the public
The bureau warned political candidates and members of the public against accepting or facilitating the transfer of suspicious funds originating from China or other countries.
Protecting the integrity of elections is a national security matter, it said, adding that money laundering prevention is necessary to ensure the orderly functioning of the financial market.
Prosecutors report separate nationwide crackdown
In a separate announcement, the High Prosecutors' Office said prosecutors had uncovered 212 cases of illicit financial transactions intended to influence the elections.
The office said it had launched a nationwide crackdown on illicit financial flows running from 17 August until the end of last week, with the aim of preventing illicit funds from shaping the outcome of the elections.
The operation identified 212 cases involving illicit financial flows and 588 people suspected of breaching the Banking Act, the Money Laundering Control Act and the gambling provisions of the Criminal Code, prosecutors said in a news release.
Prosecutors detained 75 people, while 229 were released on bail. The remainder were subject to other measures, including restrictions on their place of residence.
Authorities seized about NT$909 million in suspected criminal proceeds held in cash and bank accounts. They also took more than 390,000 Tether tokens.
A further 20 vehicles and more than 850 electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets and computers, were seized during the operation.
Prosecutors additionally confiscated 36 properties and more than 100 luxury items, among them designer bags, watches and gold jewellery.
Background
Taiwan's "nine-in-one" local elections cover mayoral, magistrate, councillor and other local offices across the island, and are held every four years.
Concerns over external interference in Taiwanese elections have featured prominently in recent electoral cycles, with law enforcement agencies establishing dedicated task forces to monitor campaign financing and cross-border cash flows.
