Taiwanese private investigators Zheng Yongjin and 3 others were commissioned in 2024 by Hong Kong individuals Ju Jue Xian and Lin Qing to monitor Democratic Progressive Party legislator Shen Boyang and his family 24/7 for a fee of approximately 36,000 New Taiwan Dollars (99,950.09 Hong Kong Dollars). The Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office has charged Zheng Yongjin and the others with violating personal data protection laws, seeking a sentence of 1 year and 6 months for Zheng Yongjin, while Ju Jue Xian and Lin Qing are currently wanted.
The Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office concluded its investigation today into the case involving defendants Zheng Yongjin and 3 others violating personal data protection laws. The investigation was initiated after Shen Boyang reported the incident to the Da’an Precinct of the Taipei City Police Department.
According to the prosecution, Zheng Yongjin, the owner of WeChat Detective and Full United Detective Agencies, received the commission to monitor Shen Boyang from Ju Jue Xian and Lin Qing on September 5, 2024, and received the payment in Hong Kong Dollars as agreed.
As Zheng Yongjin’s companies did not have employees involved in monitoring operations, he subcontracted the task to the heads of Da Ai International Detective Company and Tian Lang Xing Company for 180,000 New Taiwan Dollars. They then assigned Jiang Wenxin to oversee the monitoring operation, with Hou Kaihan and another nicknamed “Axiong” assisting. Zheng Yongjin directly commanded Jiang Wenxin.
During the monitoring mission in September 2024, Jiang Wenxin encountered difficulties due to Shen Boyang being protected by a security detail named Lan. This situation displeased Ju Jue Xian and Lin Qing, who traveled to Taiwan from Hong Kong on September 27 to assess the situation.
To appease Ju Jue Xian and Lin Qing, the head of Da Ai International suggested installing surveillance cameras for continuous monitoring. After reaching an agreement, Jiang Wenxin placed a miniature camera under the scooter seat parked in front of Shen Boyang’s residence in Da’an District, Taipei. The camera was positioned to record activity at the entrance.
Jiang Wenxin used a mobile app to connect to the miniature camera, monitoring Shen Boyang and his family’s movements 24/7 from October 1 to November 8, 2024. Additionally, Jiang Wenxin and Hou Kaihan drove to Shen Boyang’s residence to monitor his and his family’s comings and goings.
The prosecution revealed that Jiang Wenxin and others recorded video footage of Shen Boyang and his family entering and exiting their residence using the miniature camera or mobile phones. They then sent these recordings via the communication app Telegram to a group led by Zheng Yongjin, who would forward them to Ju Jue Xian.
Today, the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office has charged Zheng Yongjin, Xie Yichen, Jiang Wenxin, and Hou Kaihan with illegally collecting and using personal data without authorization under the Personal Data Protection Law. Ju Jue Xian and Lin Qing are currently fugitives, and the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office has issued warrants for their arrest.
Prosecutors emphasized that since Shen Boyang assumed office as a legislator on February 1, 2024, he had been under surveillance by Zheng Yongjin and others. Shen Boyang was later labeled as a “stubborn separatist” by the Taiwan Affairs Office and the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Office in charge of Taiwan affairs on October 14, 2024. The defendants used technology such as miniature cameras to monitor Shen Boyang’s activities and shared this information with hostile external forces, exerting pressure on Shen Boyang.
The prosecutors further cited the 2024 United States’ Human Rights Report issued by the State Department which detailed China’s (including Hong Kong’s) severe human rights violations both domestically and internationally. The report specifically mentioned China’s targeting of dissidents, ethnic minorities, religious figures, journalists, and students living abroad through various oppressive tactics.
The prosecutors underscored that in recent years, Chinese collaborators in Taiwan have engaged in physical violence, economic oppression, or surveillance of individuals critical of China, facilitating cross-border suppression actions on behalf of the Chinese regime.
Zheng Yongjin, fully aware of these activities and the potential threats they pose to national security, chose personal gain over the dangers posed by cooperating with hostile foreign forces. Despite feigned remorse, Zheng Yongjin’s insincere attitude and involvement in aiding foreign forces’ actions against individuals warranted a harsh sentence of 1 year and 6 months.
On the other hand, Xie Yichen, Jiang Wenxin, and Hou Kaihan have admitted their wrongdoings, acknowledging the severe violation of Shen Boyang’s privacy rights. They expressed regret and a desire to apologize to Shen Boyang. The defense argued for leniency given that Jiang Wenxin and Hou Kaihan were merely following orders as employees. The prosecution suggested appropriate sentencing for their crimes in accordance with the law.