A Coast Guard officer is being prosecuted for allegedly selling sensitive information to China. The female corporal surnamed Wu is suspected of using her mobile phone to record and transfer state secrets in exchange for virtual currency worth approximately NT$74,000 (roughly US$2,254).
An investigation following virtual wallet transactions in which Wu received deposits from a Chinese party led Wu to confess that she needed money and agreed to obtain confidential information. Between November and December 2023, she took photos of relevant drill records, meetings, and plans. She said that she had also reached an agreement with the Chinese to collect state secrets such as Coast Guard internal plans and facilities, and to spy on other personnel. However, she was not able to complete the task for the agreed-upon compensation of NT$500,000 (approximately US$15,330) before apprehension.
The Taiwan Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office is pushing forward with charges. Wu will be indicted for the crimes of accepting bribes in violation of the Anti-Corruption Act and mishandling and sharing confidential documents under the National Security and Classified National Security Information Protection Acts. Wu was transferred into custody of the court on Wednesday to await trial.