Prosecutors Investigate Potential Money Laundering Scheme via Uber Eats Exceeding NT$10 Million

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office, acting on reports, has initiated an investigation into an illegal syndicate suspected of using the food delivery platform Uber Eats for money laundering. The group reportedly executed approximately 2,800 fraudulent transactions, totaling over NT$10 million. Authorities conducted searches and summoned nine individuals, including a suspect identified as Lin, for questioning regarding potential violations of the Money Laundering Control Act.

Uber Eats reported suspicious activities after identifying that certain merchants frequently modified order remarks in ways inconsistent with standard business operations. Following a preliminary investigation, authorities suspect the syndicate utilized foreign credit cards to register over 300 customer accounts since July 2023. These accounts were used to place orders for food and beverages from specific merchants registered by Lin. In many instances, once the orders were placed, the transactions were adjusted to 'self-pickup' to avoid actual delivery.

Today, prosecutors directed the Investigation Bureau’s Cyber Security Workstation to execute searches at seven locations, including Lin's residence. Nine individuals registered on the platform were summoned to clarify the operation of these businesses. Investigators are currently tracing the origins of the foreign credit card funds and determining whether delivery personnel were involved in facilitating these fake transactions.