# Taiwan Tzu Chi vaccine fraud

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/taiwan-tzu-chi-vaccine-fraud
> Updated: 2026-08-07T04:30:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026, Taiwanese authorities announced that the charitable Tzu Chi Foundation had been defrauded of more than NT$10.6 billion by a scheme that pretended to procure BNT COVID‑19 vaccines. Seventeen suspects were indicted and police seized cash, gold, luxury cars and property worth over NT$10 billion. The scandal quickly became a political issue, with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan‑an and DPP legislator Wu Siyiao criticizing the government’s vaccine procurement, while the KMT also weighed in.

A follow‑up report later that week provided further details: lawyer Chen Yuxuan and broker Li Yiru had claimed to source the vaccines, and executive Yan Bowen authorized the large payments in four installments between July 2021 and March 2022. Investigators confirmed that neither Foxconn, TSMC nor the Ministry of Health had engaged any intermediaries and that no vaccine purchases were completed. KMT chairperson Zheng Li‑wen accused the ruling party of mishandling procurement, noting that Tzu Chi ultimately funded 5 million doses itself, alongside contributions from Foxconn founder Terry Gou and TSMC.

On 7 August 2026, prosecutors charged five individuals—including lawyers—with fraud and money‑laundering related to the scheme. Former health minister Chen Shih‑chung urged those making false accusations to apologise, while KMT chair Cheng Li‑wen criticised President Tsai Ing‑wen, former premier Su Tseng‑chang and former health minister Chen for lacking clear answers. Tzu Chi’s civil lawsuit helped expose the fraud and renewed scrutiny of pandemic‑era vaccine‑buying policies as the 2022 Taipei mayoral election approached.

## Claims

- Tzu Chi Foundation attempted to purchase 5 million doses of BNT vaccine in 2021. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The procurement was defrauded of NT$10.6 billion in consulting fees. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Prosecutors have charged five individuals with fraud and money‑laundering related to the case. (single source)
- Former health minister Chen Shih‑chung said those who made false accusations should apologise. (single source)
- Kuomintang chair Cheng Li‑wen criticised President Tsai Ing‑wen, former premier Su Tseng‑chang and former health minister Chen for not providing clear explanations. (single source)
- Tzu Chi filed a lawsuit that led to the exposure of the fraud. (single source)
- The case revived public debate over vaccine procurement policies during the pandemic. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-07: Tzu Chi charity loses 10.6 billion NT$ in BNT vaccine fraud case

Tzu Chi’s 2021 attempt to buy 5 million BNT vaccine doses was defrauded of NT$10.6 billion; five suspects face fraud charges and the case has reignited political debate in Taiwan.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tzu-chi-foundation-loses-10-bn-in-covid19-vaccine-procurement-scam

### 2026-08-05: Tzu Chi Foundation loses NT$10.6 billion in vaccine fraud

Tzu Chi Foundation lost over NT$10.6 billion in a BNT vaccine fraud; 17 suspects were indicted, assets worth over NT$10 billion seized, and the foundation pledged cooperation amid political debate.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tzu-chi-foundation-loses-106-billion-twd-in-vaccine-fraud

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Cite as: Taiwan Tzu Chi vaccine fraud. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/taiwan-tzu-chi-vaccine-fraud