Transnational crime syndicates dismantled in Taiwan and Vietnam

Authorities in Taiwan and Vietnam have dismantled separate transnational criminal operations involving money laundering and marriage fraud.

In Taiwan, the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office indicted six individuals, including a primary suspect facing over 10 years in prison, for a money laundering and underground banking scheme. The group utilized a physical telecommunications business, Apple House, to mask illegal funds from fraud and gambling. Two accountants were also implicated for creating false transaction vouchers to evade detection. The total laundered amount is estimated at over NT$150 million.

In Vietnam, a court sentenced five individuals to prison terms ranging from seven to nine and a half years for a sophisticated marriage scam targeting a Chinese national. The group, led by a 43-year-old woman, posed as a professional matchmaker, a bride, and various family members to defraud the victim of approximately 80,000 HKD in bride prices and gifts. The syndicate used rented properties to simulate a bride's family home to build trust before fleeing with the victim's funds.