Former CTi News anchor and journalist “Ma De” Lin Chen-yu in Taiwan was implicated in a espionage case. During the investigation, prosecutors discovered that a deputy researcher surnamed Lin, contracted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, was involved in bribery and handing over confidential documents to a member of an overseas hostile group, as well as assisting in money laundering. The Kaohsiung Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office concluded the investigation and has filed charges, requesting the court to sentence Lin to 12 years in prison.
Prosecutors in charge, Chen Zhu-jun and Zhou Wei-zhi, directed the Ministry of Justice’s Investigation Bureau in New Taipei City to investigate Lin Chen-yu’s espionage case. Through tracing the origins of the case, they found that the Ministry of Health and Welfare contracted Lin, who was a public servant responsible for handling subsidy applications with various county and city governments. It was in May 2025 when she met a member of an overseas hostile group, known as “Mr. Zeng,” on the internet.
Prosecutors uncovered that Lin had an agreement with “Mr. Zeng” where she would receive a monthly payment of NT$5,000 for providing a list of Taiwanese journalists, facilitating money transfers, and gathering government intelligence, among other specific tasks. Some of the funds transferred to her came from the account of the alias “Ma De,” Lin Chen-yu.
According to investigations, Lin was instructed by “Mr. Zeng” to use other people’s accounts to receive funds from the overseas hostile group, then transfer them to an account designated by “Mr. Zeng.” These funds were used as bribes for military officers such as Jiang and Hong, who had engaged in misconduct, in order to cover up the illicit source of income.
Prosecutors discovered that on March 10th of this year, Lin allegedly used her mobile phone to photograph confidential documents from the Nantou County government and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which she had access to due to her position, and transmitted the images via messaging apps to “Mr. Zeng” in exchange for payment.
Prosecutors argued that as a government official, Lin was fully aware of the confidentiality of official documents related to state affairs and public interest, and should not have disclosed them for personal gain. By collaborating with overseas hostile groups for an extended period, she violated laws related to corruption, money laundering, national security, and criminal offenses. Following due process under the National Judges Act, prosecutors recommended a 12-year prison sentence for Lin’s involvement in receiving bribes by breaching her duties.
The Kaohsiung Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office has successfully concluded the investigation into cases involving the participation of public officials in activities that violate the National Security Law and has subsequently filed charges according to the law. Lin was remanded by the court after being transferred. Prosecutors pointed out that the infiltration of overseas hostile groups through the internet and financial incentives to recruit public officials has become increasingly severe, posing a significant threat to national security.
Building on their successful investigation of numerous national security cases in the past, the Kaohsiung Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office will continue to enhance its investigative capabilities and collaborate closely with relevant authorities to rigorously investigate various unlawful activities that threaten national and social security.
Regarding the implication of the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s contracted deputy researcher surnamed Lin in the espionage case involving Lin Chen-yu and the charges of bribery and leaking classified information, Guo Cai-rong, the director of the Protection Service Department of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, explained today that the contracted staff member left the position on May 25th. Based on current reports and information disclosed by the authorities, it appears this employee may have been involved in related misconduct before joining the Ministry of Health and Welfare, of which the department was not aware. The Ministry condemns actions that entice public officials with money and provide government data.
Guo announced plans to strengthen personnel evaluations by collecting information on past employment, public service experiences, and work performance. As for potential collaboration with judicial units to cross-check for similar cases, compliance with data protection laws and regulations will be ensured, aligning with the overall personnel employment system.