TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Authorities across Taiwan and the Philippines extradited 17 Taiwanese nationals to Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 21) after they allegedly orchestrated a romance scam in the Philippines. The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB, 刑事局) collaborated with multiple Filipino agencies to bring the suspects back and prepare them for court.
Last May, the CIB's International Criminal Affairs Division (國際刑警科) discovered that members of the Four Seas Gang (四海幫), including a man surnamed Chen, fled to Cebu, Philippines, after being indicted for fraud. The suspects allegedly rented a luxury villa for NT$150,000 a month, setting up a scam operation targeting over a thousand Taiwanese victims.
The fraudsters used social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to ensnare victims in emotional traps. The Philippine Naval Intelligence and Security Force and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) collaborated with Taiwanese police to locate and raid the scam base on May 14, arresting the 17 Taiwanese suspects.
The Philippine police confirmed the absence of Filipino suspects or victims at the scene, finding only Taiwanese nationals and hired Filipino staff, such as maids and drivers. After the court proceedings concluded, the Philippines ruled the case closed. The CIB, with support from local agencies and the immigration department, organized a team to escort the suspects back to Taiwan.