Man indicted over Taipei hotel cockroach meal blackmail attempt

Taipei, Jan. 22 (CNA) A man surnamed Hsu (徐) was indicted on Wednesday for allegedly trying to extort US$600,000 from a Taipei hotel after finding a cockroach in a meal.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office said Hsu and a friend were dining at the hotel around 6 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2025, when the friend discovered a cockroach in a dish.

Hsu subsequently threatened to expose the incident to the media and warned that the hotel could be forced to suspend operations, before demanding a "donation" of US$600,000, prosecutors said.

A manager, surnamed Lin (林), apologized on behalf of the hotel, waived the meal charges and provided gifts. The hotel also agreed, at Hsu's request, to hold a follow-up meeting the next day.

According to prosecutors, Hsu met with the hotel's general manager, surnamed Kuo (郭), and the marketing director, surnamed Chao (趙), during that meeting, where he instructed the two executives to relay his demands to higher management.

Investigators determined that although poor food hygiene conditions were encountered, the hotel had already apologized and provided appropriate compensation.

Prosecutors said Hsu could have sought legal remedies if he believed his rights were infringed upon, but instead issued threats and demanded money unrelated to medical expenses or emotional compensation.

Based on those findings, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted Hsu on suspicion of attempted extortion, the office said.