Yunlin Prosecutors Dismantle Illegal Foreign Worker Broker Network, Indict 4
The Yunlin District Prosecutors Office has dismantled an illegal foreign worker brokerage network led by a man surnamed Tsai. Since late 2023, the group brokered foreigners who entered on tourist visas to agricultural work in Yunlin and Changhua counties for a fee. Prosecutors have indicted Tsai and three others.
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- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 18:11
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 18:25 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 18:27 (2 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Jiang Yijing, Yunlin County, 10th) The Yunlin District Prosecutors Office has dismantled an illegal foreign worker brokerage network. A group led by a man surnamed Tsai (50) has, since the end of 2023, brokered foreigners who entered on tourist visas or overstayed their visas to agricultural work in Yunlin and Changhua counties, profiting by charging a per-person fee. Prosecutors concluded the investigation today and indicted Tsai and three others for violating the Employment Service Act.
The Yunlin District Prosecutors Office stated today that they received intelligence from the Yunlin County Special Service Team of the Southern Affairs Brigade of the National Immigration Agency, learning that Tsai had long been brokering illegal work for foreigners who entered on tourist visas or overstayed, providing accommodation, and then brokering them to farmlands in Yunlin and Changhua counties for agricultural work to make a profit.
Prosecutors Tsai Shao-xun and Tsao Jui-hong led a special task force comprising the Yunlin County Special Service Team, the Yunlin Xiluo and Douliu Police Precincts to investigate. They brought in Tsai, a woman surnamed Lin (42), a man surnamed Chang (42), and a Thai woman (28).
The investigation found that starting in December 2023, Tsai, along with his friend Lin, rented houses in Xiluo Township and Erlun Township to serve as dormitories for foreign nationals. Tsai used communication apps like LINE to solicit business from farmers and businesses in need of labor, arranging for 19 Thai nationals to work in fields, fruit and vegetable markets, and agricultural product stores in Yunlin and Changhua, performing tasks such as planting, harvesting, packaging, and搬运 (transportation) at an hourly wage of NT$60 to NT$150, far below the statutory minimum wage.
Prosecutors stated that Tsai also used an illegally residing Thai woman to post recruitment messages on Thai social media, successfully attracting two Thai nationals to come to Taiwan on tourist visas for work. Tsai arranged their accommodation and work locations. After the two Thai nationals arrived in Taiwan, Tsai immediately detained them, keeping them under his control and direction.
Prosecutors pointed out that in addition to charging illegal migrant workers brokerage fees ranging from NT$6,000 to NT$65,000 per person, Tsai and Lin also acted as "sub-landlords," charging 21 migrant workers approximately NT$2,000 per month for rent and utilities.
The investigation also revealed that Chang, an associate of Tsai, had previously been fined NT$150,000 by the authorities for illegally employing foreign nationals. Despite this, starting in January 2024, he again hired two overstaying Vietnamese nationals and, through Tsai's brokerage, employed 19 foreigners who had entered on tourist visas or overstayed to engage in agricultural work.
Prosecutors estimate Tsai's illegal gains exceeded NT$1 million. The investigation was concluded today, and Tsai and three others were indicted for violating the Employment Service Act. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150610
The Yunlin District Prosecutors Office stated today that they received intelligence from the Yunlin County Special Service Team of the Southern Affairs Brigade of the National Immigration Agency, learning that Tsai had long been brokering illegal work for foreigners who entered on tourist visas or overstayed, providing accommodation, and then brokering them to farmlands in Yunlin and Changhua counties for agricultural work to make a profit.
Prosecutors Tsai Shao-xun and Tsao Jui-hong led a special task force comprising the Yunlin County Special Service Team, the Yunlin Xiluo and Douliu Police Precincts to investigate. They brought in Tsai, a woman surnamed Lin (42), a man surnamed Chang (42), and a Thai woman (28).
The investigation found that starting in December 2023, Tsai, along with his friend Lin, rented houses in Xiluo Township and Erlun Township to serve as dormitories for foreign nationals. Tsai used communication apps like LINE to solicit business from farmers and businesses in need of labor, arranging for 19 Thai nationals to work in fields, fruit and vegetable markets, and agricultural product stores in Yunlin and Changhua, performing tasks such as planting, harvesting, packaging, and搬运 (transportation) at an hourly wage of NT$60 to NT$150, far below the statutory minimum wage.
Prosecutors stated that Tsai also used an illegally residing Thai woman to post recruitment messages on Thai social media, successfully attracting two Thai nationals to come to Taiwan on tourist visas for work. Tsai arranged their accommodation and work locations. After the two Thai nationals arrived in Taiwan, Tsai immediately detained them, keeping them under his control and direction.
Prosecutors pointed out that in addition to charging illegal migrant workers brokerage fees ranging from NT$6,000 to NT$65,000 per person, Tsai and Lin also acted as "sub-landlords," charging 21 migrant workers approximately NT$2,000 per month for rent and utilities.
The investigation also revealed that Chang, an associate of Tsai, had previously been fined NT$150,000 by the authorities for illegally employing foreign nationals. Despite this, starting in January 2024, he again hired two overstaying Vietnamese nationals and, through Tsai's brokerage, employed 19 foreigners who had entered on tourist visas or overstayed to engage in agricultural work.
Prosecutors estimate Tsai's illegal gains exceeded NT$1 million. The investigation was concluded today, and Tsai and three others were indicted for violating the Employment Service Act. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150610
FAQ
Who is the ringleader of this case?
A 50-year-old man surnamed Tsai.
When did the illegal brokerage start?
It started in December 2023.
How much were the illegal gains?
Estimated to be over NT$1 million.