The UK and US have joined forces to crack down on transnational online fraud and money laundering. Among them, the Cambodian scam syndicate's original Chinese national ringleader, Chen Zhi, has been sanctioned and was revealed to have entered and exited Taiwan at least 10 times. National Police Agency Director-General Chang Rong-hsing stated that Chen Zhi's visits to Taiwan occurred roughly before 2022; he hasn’t been found entering Taiwan since. Taiwan has already proactively contacted the FBI (U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation) and reported the matter to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office to direct the investigation.
According to Central News Agency, on the 20th, the Legislative Yuan’s Internal Administration Committee held a special report and questioning session on “The Current National Public Security Situation and How to Strengthen Security Protocols for the President, Vice President, Heads of Central Government Agencies, and Other Specific Individuals to Prevent Foreign Forces or Collaborators from Affecting National Security.”
During interpellation, DPP legislator Huang Jie pointed out that the UK and US have recently joined forces to combat transnational online fraud and money laundering, targeting a large-scale transnational criminal network based in Cambodia. The syndicate’s ringleader, Chen Zhi, originates from China, has acquired citizenship in Cambodia and several other countries, and has repeatedly traveled to Taiwan and around the world. Under his control, there are even ten scam parks.
Huang mentioned that nine companies in Taiwan and three Taiwanese individuals are also on the sanctions list. She questioned whether Taiwan has gathered relevant international intelligence and identified this key person. Considering the long-standing anti-fraud efforts, are the related mechanisms for handling and monitoring entries and exits sufficient to identify such persons and patch any potential loopholes?
Chang Rong-hsing responded that, according to preliminary information, Chen Zhi’s time in Taiwan was before 2022, with no indication he came after that. The case was initiated by the US, which filed charges and took action; before this, Taiwan was not requested to provide related information. However, Taiwan proactively contacted the FBI, and the case has now been reported to the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office for them to direct the investigation.