17 Taiwanese Indicted for Operating Fraud Ring in Philippines; Mastermind Faces 25-Year Sentence
Taiwan and the Philippines collaborated to bust a fraud operation center in Cebu, leading to the repatriation of 17 Taiwanese suspects earlier this year. The group swindled over NT$60 million from more than 100 victims in Taiwan using charity and romance scams. Prosecutors have indicted all 17 individuals and are seeking a heavy sentence of over 25 years for the mastermind.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 18:08
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(CNA, New Taipei, May 19, by reporter Tsao Ya-yen) Taiwan and the Philippines collaborated to bust a fraud operation center in Cebu, resulting in the repatriation of 17 Taiwanese suspects to Taiwan earlier this year. The group defrauded Taiwanese citizens of over NT$60 million through charity and romance scams, with more than 100 people falling victim. Prosecutors have indicted the 17 individuals and are seeking a severe sentence of 25 years or more for the mastermind.
Law enforcement units from Taiwan and the Philippines cooperated on the case, which was directed by the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office upon request from the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Following a long period of intelligence sharing and surveillance, they successfully raided the fraud center in Cebu, Philippines, in May of last year. The 17 suspects, including one surnamed Chen, were repatriated from the Philippines in January of this year for trial. After interrogation by prosecutors, a request to detain them incommunicado was granted.
According to the police investigation, the 17 suspects, led by Chen, allegedly set up the fraud center in the Cebu area of the Philippines starting in April 2024. They used fraudulent methods such as soliciting for charity events and feigning romantic interest to trick Taiwanese citizens into transferring Tether (USDT) to designated electronic wallets or wiring funds to specified accounts. The group members would then immediately transfer the crypto and funds away to conceal the flow of criminal proceeds. The total number of victims reached 112, with the amount defrauded exceeding NT$60 million. Prosecutors also seized assets worth nearly NT$20 million under the names of Chen and others.
The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation yesterday. The suspects, including Chen, are charged with offenses including fraud, money laundering under the Money Laundering Control Act, directing a criminal organization outside the territory of the Republic of China to provide equipment for fraudulent use under the Act for Prevention and Control of Fraud Crimes, and violations of the Organized Crime Prevention Act. Some of the individuals have consistently denied their involvement and colluded with others, showing no remorse.
Prosecutors argued that the group committed numerous crimes and defrauded a very large sum of money. Given that the suspect Chen served as the long-term leader, they have requested the court to impose a heavy sentence of 25 years or more in prison. For the other 16 individuals, prosecutors are seeking sentences ranging from 10 to over 20 years.
Law enforcement units from Taiwan and the Philippines cooperated on the case, which was directed by the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office upon request from the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Following a long period of intelligence sharing and surveillance, they successfully raided the fraud center in Cebu, Philippines, in May of last year. The 17 suspects, including one surnamed Chen, were repatriated from the Philippines in January of this year for trial. After interrogation by prosecutors, a request to detain them incommunicado was granted.
According to the police investigation, the 17 suspects, led by Chen, allegedly set up the fraud center in the Cebu area of the Philippines starting in April 2024. They used fraudulent methods such as soliciting for charity events and feigning romantic interest to trick Taiwanese citizens into transferring Tether (USDT) to designated electronic wallets or wiring funds to specified accounts. The group members would then immediately transfer the crypto and funds away to conceal the flow of criminal proceeds. The total number of victims reached 112, with the amount defrauded exceeding NT$60 million. Prosecutors also seized assets worth nearly NT$20 million under the names of Chen and others.
The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation yesterday. The suspects, including Chen, are charged with offenses including fraud, money laundering under the Money Laundering Control Act, directing a criminal organization outside the territory of the Republic of China to provide equipment for fraudulent use under the Act for Prevention and Control of Fraud Crimes, and violations of the Organized Crime Prevention Act. Some of the individuals have consistently denied their involvement and colluded with others, showing no remorse.
Prosecutors argued that the group committed numerous crimes and defrauded a very large sum of money. Given that the suspect Chen served as the long-term leader, they have requested the court to impose a heavy sentence of 25 years or more in prison. For the other 16 individuals, prosecutors are seeking sentences ranging from 10 to over 20 years.