Man Indicted for Tampering with 28 Electricity Meters; Taipower Seeks Over NT$15.71 Million in Compensation

(Central News Agency, Yunlin County, June 4) A man surnamed Chou (57, in custody), who was previously convicted for tampering with electricity meters, resumed his illegal activities starting in 2022 (Republic of China year 111), modifying meters for 28 households. Following a tip-off, Taipower noticed irregularities and alerted the police. The Yunlin District Prosecutors Office recently concluded its investigation and indicted Chou on charges of fraudulent gain. Taipower will seek over NT$15.71 million in compensation from the users.

The Yunlin District Prosecutors Office stated today that a citizen reported an abnormal electricity meter at a hotpot restaurant in Douliu City, Yunlin County. Taipower personnel discovered the meter had been tampered with. Police immediately collected evidence and found Chou (57) to be a prime suspect, involved with multiple users across several counties and cities. The case was then investigated under the direction of Prosecutor Chou Fu-Hsueh of the Yunlin District Prosecutors Office.

Police arrested Chou last year and seized his tools. Chou stated he resumed the illegal activity due to financial difficulties. According to reports, Chou was indicted by the Tainan District Prosecutors Office in 2014 (ROC 103) for helping others tamper with meters in Tainan. The Tainan District Court sentenced him to 10 months in prison the following year for violating the Electricity Act.

The Yunlin District Prosecutors Office successfully petitioned the court to detain Chou, citing a risk of re-offending. After concluding the investigation, he was indicted on charges of fraudulent gain, and the case has been transferred to the district court. The judge ordered his detention be extended, and Chou's appeal was dismissed.

Prosecutors stated that Chou had long accepted commissions from electricity users to tamper with meters. He would destroy seals, alter the internal structure and wiring of the meters, preventing them from accurately measuring electricity consumption, thereby helping users reduce their electricity bills in exchange for payment.

Investigation by prosecutors and police revealed that between 2022 and 2025 (ROC 111-114), Chou accepted commissions from users across various regions. He used professional tools to break Taipower's meter seals and terminal covers, then modified gears, removed current cables, rewired circuits, installed switches, applied insulating glue, and forged lead seals to interfere with the normal operation of the meters, preventing accurate recording of actual electricity usage and enabling users to pay less.

Prosecutors said Chou charged between NT$20,000 and NT$50,000 per modification, which could save users one-third to one-half on their electricity bills. The users were located in cities and counties including Taoyuan, Taichung, Changhua, and Yunlin, and included restaurants, factories, and aquaculture operators. The case involved 28 user groups and dozens of meters, spanning several years.

Taipower's audit revealed that the total compensation for the illegal electricity usage exceeds NT$15.71 million, seriously damaging the fairness of electricity billing and the public interest. (Editor: Lee Hsi-Chang) 1150604