As Taiwan approaches its local elections, a substantial operation targeting illegal campaign financing has been launched by the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies, such as the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Investigation Bureau. This initiative, part of a broader effort to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, has led to significant findings, including 445 cases of illegal monetary flows and the apprehension of 1,207 individuals. Authorities reported the seizure of over NT$13.177 billion (New Taiwan Dollars) in criminal proceeds, highlighting the serious nature of illicit financial activities related to the upcoming elections.
In a statement released on November 10, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office detailed that this operation comes in anticipation of the local public office elections scheduled for November 28. The aim of this initiative is to prevent illegal financial interventions—such as underground banking and money laundering—from affecting the fairness of the elections. This second wave of financial investigations followed an earlier operation that took place between August 17 and September 4.
During the recent crackdown, authorities reported a total of 233 cases of illegal financial activity, involving 619 individuals. Many of these cases pertained to violations of banking laws, money laundering prevention laws, and criminal gambling laws. Out of those apprehended, 71 individuals were remanded in custody as per judicial approval, while 182 were released on bail. Other suspects faced various mandatory restrictions after being summoned for questioning.
Furthermore, during this operation, law enforcement seized an impressive array of assets in addition to cash and bank account deposits amounting to approximately NT$4.865 billion. The seizures included more than 350,000 Tether (USDT), over 34,000 USD Coin (USDC), more than 33,000 Cardano (ADA), and over 1.056 million Ripple (XRP). In addition to digital currencies, authorities confiscated 10 vehicles, 456 pieces of various electronic devices such as smartphones and computers, 20 real estate properties, over 70 kilograms of gold, and over 700 kilograms of silver.
Overall, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office indicated that this year’s operations to combat illegal monetary flows, including both waves of crackdowns, have resulted in 445 cases involving a total of 1,207 individuals. Among these, 146 suspects have been placed in custody, while 411 have been granted bail.
The cumulative seizures from these operations have totaled approximately NT$13.177 billion, including an astonishing 1.863 million units of various cryptocurrencies. Other confiscated assets comprise 30 vehicles, over 1,306 electronic devices, 56 real estate properties, 70 kilograms of gold, over 700 kilograms of silver, as well as more than 100 items of high-end luxury goods, watches, and jewelry.
As the election date draws near, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office emphasized the importance of preventing foreign funds and illicit proceeds from underground financial networks from influencing the election process. The agency is committed to intensifying its collaborative efforts with different law enforcement bodies to track down the flow of funds tied to criminal organizations. They aim to strengthen the confiscation and recovery of illicitly obtained assets, effectively cutting off the pipeline for illegal monetary flows and demonstrating the government’s determination to eradicate the influence of illicit funds in the electoral system.
The Ministry of Justice’s Investigation Bureau confirmed that in support of the High Prosecutors Office’s recent operation, law enforcement mobilized 13 frontline offices across the country. This initiative resulted in the investigation of 44 cases, execution of 120 searches, and questioning of 198 individuals, uncovering over NT$22.978 billion in illegal monetary flows related to underground banking and money laundering, with approximately NT$485.14 million seized.
This year has seen a focused effort under the “115 (2026) Public Office Election Inspection Initiative” to strike against illicit financial activities. In collaboration with the High Prosecutors Office, a total of 103 cases have been executed, yielding cumulative illegal financial flows exceeding NT$85.425 billion and seizing over NT$2.248 billion in criminal proceeds.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau of the National Police Agency reported findings from the illegal financial operations, including the capture of 22 money laundering dens and nine underground remittance operations. Authorities confiscated illegal proceeds totaling over NT$53.12 million and NT$15.48 million, with illicit transaction amounts reported at NT$233.8099 billion for money laundering and NT$77.602 million for remittances.
In the realm of gambling, law enforcement has also conducted extensive raids, resulting in the investigation of 534 gambling-related cases involving 1,581 individuals. This includes dealing with 21 election gambling cases, 92 physical casinos, 93 lottery betting operations, and 328 online gambling incidents. Authorities have seized over NT$39.31 million in cash stakes, with the total gambling amount exceeding NT$28.2 billion.
Through these collective efforts, Taiwanese authorities aim to uphold electoral integrity and ensure a fair and transparent voting process in the face of challenges posed by illegal monetization and criminal activities.