5 suspects in alleged Chinese smuggling scam released on bail

Taipei, April 24 (CNA) Five people held for questioning on suspicion of smuggling more than 600 Chinese nationals into Taiwan using fake dental treatment plans were released Thursday on bail amounts ranging from NT$1 million to NT$300,000, according to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office.

Prosecutors said the chief suspect, surnamed Pan (潘), who allegedly coordinated the illegal scheme at a dental clinic in Taipei, was granted bail of NT$1 million (US$30,734) after being summoned Wednesday for questioning alongside nine other suspects.

The prosecutors' office said the clinic's chief executive officer, Chen (陳), was released on bail of NT$300,000, while a dentist, Wang (王), was granted NT$200,000 bail.

In addition, an assistant at the Taipei clinic surnamed Chang (張) and a travel agency operator, Hsiang (向), were each released on NT$100,000 bail, according to prosecutors.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office said Pan arranged dental treatment plans that allowed Chinese nationals to obtain medical visas to enter Taiwan between December 2022 and May 2023, when travel restrictions between China and Taiwan were still in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once in Taiwan, the Chinese nationals allegedly engaged in illegal activities, including prostitution and other unauthorized work, as well as in tourism activities, the prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said the dental clinic was affiliated with a program run by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to promote the internationalization of Taiwan's medical services.

According to investigators, Pan was working in coordination with Hsiang, who allegedly managed the arrangements and document processing for the Chinese nationals.

The investigation was jointly conducted by the Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice, the National Immigration Agency, and special task forces under those agencies in both Taipei and Tainan, officials said.

On Wednesday, searches were carried out at nine sites, and 10 individuals, including Pan, Hsiang, Chen, Wang and Chang, were brought in for questioning, the Taipei prosecutors office said.

Prosecutors said the five suspects who were released on bail Thursday are believed to have violated the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, and sections of Taiwan's Criminal Code related to falsifying documents.