Taiwanese prosecutors have uncovered 212 cases involving suspected illicit financial activity ahead of the island’s Nov. 28 local elections, seizing more than NT$900 million (about USD$28 million) in cash and bank assets as authorities move to prevent illegal funds from influencing the vote.
The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office said the operation ran from Aug. 17 through Sept. 4 and involved prosecutors, police, and investigative agencies across the country. According to the office, 588 people were implicated in cases involving suspected violations of the Banking Act, Money Laundering Control Act, and gambling provisions under the Criminal Code.
Prosecutors obtained detention orders for 75 suspects, while 229 were released on bail. Others were placed under measures including restrictions on residence.
RELATED: Taiwan Says 426 Citizens Detained or Missing in China as New Travel Rules Loom
Authorities target financial networks
In addition to approximately NT$909 million in cash and funds held in bank accounts, authorities seized more than 390,000 units of the cryptocurrency Tether (USDT), 20 vehicles, 36 properties, and roughly 850 electronic devices, including phones, tablets, and computers. More than 100 luxury items were also confiscated, including designer handbags, watches, and gold jewelry.
For the best of our weekly content！
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Check your email to complete sign up
The High Prosecutors Office said the effort was the first nationwide operation this year focused on illicit financial flows that could affect the election. Authorities said they would continue targeting overseas funds linked to election interference, as well as underground financial networks involved in fraud, gambling, and money laundering.
The office said confiscating criminal proceeds is intended both to weaken underground financial operations and to “clean up the electoral environment.”
Nearly 20,000 candidates register
The crackdown comes as Taiwan enters the next stage of preparations for its 2026 “nine-in-one” local elections, in which voters will choose officials across multiple levels of local government. Central Election Commission Chairman Yu Ying-lung said on Sept. 7 that 19,695 candidates had registered to compete for 11,051 positions. Registration closed on Sept. 4, with eligibility reviews expected to be completed by Oct. 16.
The overall number of candidates was 130 lower than four years ago. Yu said the difference represented normal fluctuation and noted that candidate totals have remained close to 20,000 for roughly 12 years. A total of 26 candidates who are spouses of Chinese nationals registered to run, seven more than in the previous election.
They include two candidates for special-municipality council seats, two for county or city council seats, one for township or city mayor, two for township or city representative posts, and 19 for village or neighborhood chief positions. Yu said the increase should also be viewed as a normal fluctuation rather than evidence of a broader trend.
Tightening oversight
New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi was asked about the rise in Chinese-spouse candidates during a city council session on Sept. 8. He said their eligibility would be handled “in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Election and Recall Act.”
Questions have also surfaced over the eligibility of actress Chen Zhu-yin, who reportedly announced that she had relinquished her Republic of China (ROC) household registration and health insurance and had settled in China before registering for a New Taipei City council race. Yu said election authorities would review all candidates strictly according to existing law.
Though Taiwan (officially known as the Republic of China) operates as an independent nation since its establishment in 1949, Beijing views the island as a “breakaway province,” and has vowed to reclaim it by any means necessary, even if that means resorting to military force to achieve unification under its “One China” policy.
Original article
Comments