Taiwan warns citizens nabbed for fraud overseas might be deported to China

Taiwanese traveling overseas to join fraud rings could end up being deported to China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The ministry has repeatedly warned Taiwanese citizens not to misuse visa waivers for Thailand and South Korea to engage in illegal gambling and online fraud. In addition to being arrested and prosecuted in the country where they were active, they could be sent to China after completing their sentences, the ministry said in a statement.

China has signed extradition agreements with 62 countries and judicial cooperation accords with 67. Several countries have notified Chinese embassies or consulates about fraud cases, increasing the risk to Taiwanese detainees.

Friends and relatives also need to bear some responsibility by discouraging people from trusting unverified brokers and online job advertisements, the ministry said. Self-discipline is necessary to protect personal safety and safeguard visa waivers obtained after long-term government efforts.

Involvement in fraud damages the nation’s image and causes irreparable harm to individuals, families and society, according to the ministry. The illegal practices also harm trust between Taiwan’s diplomatic and law enforcement authorities and their counterparts in host countries.

The ministry cited South Korea and Thailand as countries reporting problems involving Taiwanese nationals, with Thailand used as a transit point to scam centers in Myanmar and Cambodia.