Eight Fraud Ring Members Released Without Bail; Taitung Prosecutors to Appeal

The Taitung District Prosecutors Office, in coordination with the Criminal Investigation Bureau and police from Pingtung and Taitung, raided a fraud ring's operation center. They requested the detention of eight members, but the court released them all without bail on the grounds that they had confessed to their crimes. The Taitung District Prosecutors Office expressed regret and stated it would file an appeal as soon as possible. On the 19th, prosecutors raided a homestay in Luye Township, Taitung County, and successfully subdued the fraud group, seizing computers and other criminal tools. After investigation, the prosecutor believed that nine suspects (six men and three women) were involved in aggravated fraud. The ringleader, surnamed Guo, was sent to prison due to a previously confirmed sentence, but the other eight were requested for detention on the 20th due to risks of flight, destruction of evidence, and collusion. However, the Taitung District Court ruled that there was no need for detention as the eight suspects had confessed. The chief prosecutor of the Taitung District Prosecutors Office stated in an interview today that given the severity of the crimes and the risks of flight and evidence destruction, the court's ruling was inappropriate and they would appeal.