TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Prosecutors in Kaohsiung have charged 166 people under the Money Laundering Control Act and the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act in connection with a massive financial scandal involving the Taiwanese payment platform Taiwan OpenPay (台灣里), which abruptly ceased operations in May 2025. The company's owner, Chien Kun-Sung (簡坤松), fled to Xiamen, China, with substantial funds before authorities could arrest him, investigators said. Authorities have issued a warrant for Chien's arrest.
Investigators discovered that Taiwan OpenPay laundered money for gambling and fraud groups. The platform collaborated with 95 illegal gambling websites, laundering NT$3.3 billion (around US$103 million), fraudulently obtaining NT$1.4 billion (around US$44 million) from banks, and handling NT$2.2 billion (around US$69 million) in unexplained funds. The total laundered amount reached approximately NT$7 billion (around US$219 million), prosecutors said. From March 2023 to May 2025, the operation laundered over NT$8.4 billion (around US$263 million).
Chien escaped to Xiamen from Kaohsiung Airport (小港機場) just before authorities initiated searches and arrests, prosecutors said. He established 81 shell companies to obscure illicit transactions under the guise of third-party payment collection. His wife, surnamed Lin, allegedly assisted in tampering with evidence and concealed NT$2.2 million (around US$69,000) in cash. The investigation continues, with authorities urging anyone with information on Chien's whereabouts to come forward. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.97)