Taipei Police Officer Arrested for Allegedly Leaking Personal Data in Exchange for Bribes

According to a report by Central News Agency journalist Lin Chang-Shun, published on the 31st in Taipei, Liu, an officer with the Nangang Police Substation in Taipei City, was previously detained last year by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office over allegations of leaking personal data to members of Guo Zhe-Min’s criminal group. The initial detention and ban on visitation were approved; however, Liu successfully appealed, leading the Taiwan High Court to remand the case for reconsideration, resulting in the Taipei District Court granting bail set at NT$300,000.

Yesterday, prosecutors re-interviewed Liu and today reapplied for pre-trial detention without visitation rights, which was approved by the court.

Guo Zhe-Min, head of the '88 Clubhouse,' is suspected of operating illegal online gambling websites, generating over NT$1.6 billion in profits, and handling underground money exchange transactions amounting to at least NT$21.7 billion. The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office has indicted Guo on charges including gambling, money laundering, and violations of the Organized Crime Prevention Act, seeking a 15-year prison sentence. The case is currently under judicial review.

The '88 Clubhouse' scandal sparked controversy over police officers visiting questionable venues. An investigation by the National Police Agency’s Inspectorate and the Taipei City Police Department revealed that during 2022 (Republic Year 111), while serving in the Nangang Precinct’s Investigation Unit, Officer Liu allegedly used official systems to access citizens’ personal data, leaked it to members of Guo’s criminal network, and accepted illicit benefits. The case was referred to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for investigation.

In May of last year, the Taipei prosecutors directed police and investigative agencies to search Liu’s office and residence and summoned him for questioning. After interrogation, prosecutors concluded he likely violated anti-corruption laws by accepting bribes in exchange for official favors and applied for his detention—initially granted. However, Liu filed an appeal, and the Taiwan High Court ordered a retrial, leading the Taipei District Court to release him on bail.

Prosecutors uncovered further evidence linking Liu to the case. Yesterday, they conducted another search and summoned Liu again. After questioning, they determined the suspicion of violating the Personal Data Protection Act and criminal disclosure laws was substantial, and citing risks of collusion or evidence tampering, applied late in the evening for pre-trial detention without visitation, which the Taipei District Court approved.