Liquor Merchant Implicated in 70 Million NTD Scam; Person-in-Charge Released on 500,000 NTD Bail with Border Control and Electronic Monitoring
The person-in-charge of a liquor company, surnamed Lee, is suspected of illegally raising over 70 million NTD through high-interest investment and consignment schemes. He was released on bail with an electronic monitoring bracelet.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 09:33
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 10:01 (27 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 10:09 (7 min after Collected)
(CNA reporter Hsieh Chun-lin, Taipei, 22nd) According to reports received by investigators, a liquor company person-in-charge surnamed Lee is suspected of illegally raising over 70 million NTD by utilizing methods such as high-interest investment promises and liquor consignment profit-sharing. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office launched search and interrogation operations yesterday. Following the interrogation, the prosecutor ordered Lee to post a 500,000 NTD bail and subjected him to border control and electronic bracelet monitoring.
In addition, a Chief Operating Officer and Financial Officer surnamed Wu was released on a 300,000 NTD bail, while an accountant surnamed Huang and a store manager surnamed Cheng were released after questioning.
Investigations revealed that Lee publicly claimed his liquor international enterprise company could purchase high-priced imported liquors like whiskey in bulk to drive down costs, then sell them to earn the price difference. He allegedly used the facade of annual interest rates between 12% and 18% to attract public investment. Furthermore, Lee signed liquor consignment profit-sharing contracts with investors, claiming he could help them buy and sell liquor, sharing the profits from portions sold above cost while guaranteeing the investors their principal amount back.
Investigators also found that Lee sold the company's preferred stock at a price of 20 NTD per share. If investors injected funds, they could receive 2.2% interest per quarter, amounting to an 8.8% annual yield. Moreover, Lee falsely proclaimed that he had ventured into prime real estate in Taipei City's core districts with high investment performance, boasting an annual return rate as high as 18%.
Initial estimates by investigators indicate that from 2020 (Republic of China year 109) to 2024 (113), Lee used four methods—high annual investment interest, liquor consignment profit-sharing, sales of preferred shares, and real estate investments—to illegally absorb over 70 million NTD. Investors realized they might have been scammed when they failed to receive their returns starting in 2024, prompting them to report and press charges.
Yesterday, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office directed the New Taipei City Investigation Office of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau to execute search warrants issued by the court. They searched a total of five locations, including the residences and company premises of the four individuals: Lee, Wu, accountant Huang, and store manager Cheng. The four defendants were summoned for questioning. The entire case is currently being investigated as a suspected violation of the Banking Act and other related offenses. (Editor: Lee Hsi-chang)
In addition, a Chief Operating Officer and Financial Officer surnamed Wu was released on a 300,000 NTD bail, while an accountant surnamed Huang and a store manager surnamed Cheng were released after questioning.
Investigations revealed that Lee publicly claimed his liquor international enterprise company could purchase high-priced imported liquors like whiskey in bulk to drive down costs, then sell them to earn the price difference. He allegedly used the facade of annual interest rates between 12% and 18% to attract public investment. Furthermore, Lee signed liquor consignment profit-sharing contracts with investors, claiming he could help them buy and sell liquor, sharing the profits from portions sold above cost while guaranteeing the investors their principal amount back.
Investigators also found that Lee sold the company's preferred stock at a price of 20 NTD per share. If investors injected funds, they could receive 2.2% interest per quarter, amounting to an 8.8% annual yield. Moreover, Lee falsely proclaimed that he had ventured into prime real estate in Taipei City's core districts with high investment performance, boasting an annual return rate as high as 18%.
Initial estimates by investigators indicate that from 2020 (Republic of China year 109) to 2024 (113), Lee used four methods—high annual investment interest, liquor consignment profit-sharing, sales of preferred shares, and real estate investments—to illegally absorb over 70 million NTD. Investors realized they might have been scammed when they failed to receive their returns starting in 2024, prompting them to report and press charges.
Yesterday, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office directed the New Taipei City Investigation Office of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau to execute search warrants issued by the court. They searched a total of five locations, including the residences and company premises of the four individuals: Lee, Wu, accountant Huang, and store manager Cheng. The four defendants were summoned for questioning. The entire case is currently being investigated as a suspected violation of the Banking Act and other related offenses. (Editor: Lee Hsi-chang)