35 indicted over laundering NT$30.6 billion from online gambling sites

Taipei, Jan. 5 (CNA) Prosecutors in Taipei on Monday indicted 35 people, including the operator of a Hong Kong-style diner in Taipei, for allegedly laundering more than NT$30.6 billion (US$975.24 million) in illegal online gambling proceeds through payment processing platforms they controlled.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office said a man surnamed Lo (羅), 41, who operates Ming Shiang Yuan Cafe (茗香園冰室), was charged with money laundering, organized crime and illegal online gambling.

Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of nine years and six months for Lo.

According to prosecutors, Lo began operating the scheme in August 2020 after purchasing the source code for a payment platform system and building services later branded as HeroPay and MatchPay.

Lo allegedly partnered with illegal online gambling websites operating in China, Japan and India, routing player deposits through the two platforms rather than directly to the gambling operators.

Prosecutors said Lo recruited a woman surnamed Huang (黃) to handle finance and administrative work, and rented office space under the name of his restaurant to serve as the operation's base.

In June 2022, the group also launched its own online gambling website, Rich 11, offering baccarat, slot machines and sports betting, with HeroPay used to collect player deposits.

Authorities estimate that between July 2021 and Sept. 9, 2025, the group laundered NT$30.695 billion through its own gambling operations and payment services provided to other illegal platforms.

Prosecutors said the proceeds were used as personal profits for Lo, operating funds for the payment platforms, and capital for other businesses, including another restaurant, Dongyin Quick Knifeman (東引快刀手).

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted Lo, Huang and 33 others under the Organized Crime Prevention Act, the Money Laundering Control Act and Criminal Code provisions related to online gambling.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of more than six years for Huang and the confiscation of all illicit proceeds.