TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Matsu Defense Command announced Monday that any personnel found to have provided their personal bank accounts to fraud groups will be discharged.
The MDC said it is coordinating with the Fuchien Lienchiang District Prosecutors Office and has launched an internal investigation into all suspected individuals, per ETtoday. It said anyone confirmed to have provided accounts to fraud rings will be removed from service, and that some personnel have already received this punishment, per PTS.
The command added that troop redeployment has been completed to ensure the incident does not affect combat readiness. It also said it will strengthen legal education to prevent soldiers from being exploited by criminal groups.
One of the units affected is reportedly a mixed artillery battalion stationed in Nangan. The MDC confirmed that 67 personnel are currently under investigation, though reports suggest the total number of involved individuals may be as high as 300, per Mirror Media.
Former Taoyuan prosecutor Chen Yen-chien (陳彥价) said the involvement of professional soldiers in fraud schemes — despite improving military benefits — may be linked to the relatively closed environment of the armed forces, per UDN. He added that many service members come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and could be tempted by extra income to improve their living conditions.
Chen noted that penalties depend on the circumstances of each case. If soldiers were deceived into providing their accounts, they may not face indictment, he said.
Former Kuomintang vice presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) commented that fraud groups were reportedly able to convince active-duty soldiers to risk their careers for NT$3,000 (US$96) to NT$5,000 a month, per UDN. He argued the case highlights what he sees as insufficient benefits for lower-ranking personnel.
Jaw criticized the government for failing to enact a military pay raise law passed by the opposition while planning to spend NT$1.25 trillion on defense procurement and defense industry development.
KMT Legislator Ma Wen-chun (馬文君) questioned why soldiers would risk discharge for such small monthly sums, suggesting other factors may have influenced their decisions, per NOWNews. She also criticized the MDC for not discovering the scheme for two years.
