Taiwan courts hold marriage agencies liable for sham marriage failures

Taiwanese courts are increasingly holding marriage agencies liable for failing to verify the background of foreign spouses in cross-border marriage cases. In one instance, a man lost his bride just four days after arriving in Taiwan, only to discover she was a repeat offender in sham marriages who had previously disappeared after a week in the country.

Legal experts note that while agencies cannot guarantee love, they are expected to perform due diligence on verifiable facts, such as whether a person has a criminal record or a history of sham marriages. In cases where agencies failed to check these details, courts have ordered them to compensate clients for contract fees and even gifts like red envelopes and gold jewelry.

However, legal outcomes vary. Some courts have ruled that agencies are not liable if they act merely as intermediaries for local matchmakers, and others have denied refunds when a spouse refuses to enter Taiwan, citing the individual's right to freedom of movement.