Image Credit: Taiwan News
Taiwanese prosecutors stated 23 individuals, including eight active military officers, on charges of espionage for China. The spy ring, led by two brothers identified as Hsu, reportedly operated over a span of two years, starting in 2021, and provided classified information to Chinese intelligence agents in exchange for financial rewards.
The espionage scheme was established by the Hsu brothers, who targeted military officers facing financial difficulties, promising to resolve their debts, as reported by Liberty Times. The accused were offered monetary incentives, ranging from NT$2,000 to NT$30,000, for each individual recruited into the spy network. The group’s operations were centred around frequent visits to Macau and the nearby Zhuhai Special Economic Zone, where the brothers met with Chinese intelligence officials.
Investigations revealed that the espionage ring received approximately NT$5 million (US$156,000) over the course of its operations. The ring consisted of officers from Taiwan’s Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, although most of them held lower-ranking positions with limited access to highly classified information.
Authorities confiscated a significant amount of evidence during their investigation, including 69 mobile phones, 103 computer storage devices, nine secret military documents, and one confidential government file. Prosecutors stated that the Hsu brothers used a network of pawn shop owners and online ads to locate officers struggling with financial hardship.
The Ministry of National Defence expressed its commitment to mitigating the potential damage caused by the espionage case. Officials are reportedly strengthening efforts to safeguard sensitive documents and educating military personnel on the importance of financial security, as part of broader preventive measures.
The case has raised concerns over the vulnerability of military personnel to espionage operations, particularly in light of financial stress.