Taipei, Taiwan — The Taiwan Supreme Court has upheld an 18-year prison sentence for Lee Chen-hao (李振豪), the leader of a human trafficking ring that forced 88 Taiwanese nationals into forced labor in Cambodia. The ruling, issued in late October, confirmed the decision made by the Taipei District Court in April 2023. Lee, who had denied any wrongdoing throughout his trial, will now serve the full term of his sentence without appeal.
The case is part of a broader crackdown on trafficking operations that targeted Taiwanese citizens, luring them with promises of high-paying jobs in Southeast Asia, only to enslave them in illegal labor schemes. The sentence for Lee and his accomplices highlights Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to tackle organized crime and human trafficking.
Crime Ring’s Exploits and the Suffering of Victims
In a disturbing sequence of events, Lee and his criminal syndicate trafficked 88 victims to Cambodia through a series of deceptive job offers. According to the district court’s ruling, Lee’s network posted fake ads on social media platforms like Facebook in November 2021, claiming to offer lucrative jobs in customer service for gaming and gambling websites. After the victims arrived in Cambodia, their passports were confiscated by local criminal groups, and they were forced to work in telecom scam networks or pay exorbitant ransoms to be freed and returned to Taiwan.
Victims who failed to meet labor targets or resisted were subjected to brutal conditions, including beatings, solitary confinement, and even being sold to other criminal gangs. According to the court’s findings, the criminal gang made between US$17,000 to US$18,000 for each trafficked victim from Cambodian crime syndicates.
Human Trafficking Operation: Timeline and Rescue Efforts
The operation began to unravel in the summer of 2022, when Taiwanese authorities discovered a pattern of job scams leading to the forced trafficking of Taiwanese nationals to Cambodia and other Southeast Asian nations. In response to public outcry and international attention, the Taiwanese government launched a massive rescue operation.
By the end of 2022, 22 victims had been rescued, and 30 more were saved since then, with ongoing efforts to locate additional victims. Prosecutors acted swiftly, indicting Lee and his accomplices in September 2022 and January 2023, leading to their subsequent trials.
Legal Consequences for the Crime Ring Members
Lee’s accomplices, who played varying roles in the trafficking operation, had their sentences reduced after pleading guilty to charges they had previously denied. These sentences, which ranged from 9 to 16.5 years, were reduced by the High Court as part of a plea agreement in exchange for cooperation with authorities. The sentences for the remaining members of the ring were handed down based on the severity of their involvement and the level of cooperation provided during the investigation.
The district court convicted all nine individuals involved in the operation on multiple charges, including human trafficking, participation in organized crime, and fraud for facilitating the illegal departure of Taiwanese citizens to Cambodia under false pretenses.
Summary of Court Ruling and Final Verdict
| Defendant | Charge | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Chen-hao | Human Trafficking, Organized Crime | 18 years (upheld by Supreme Court) |
| Accomplices | Human Trafficking, Fraud | 9-16.5 years (reduced by High Court) |
| Total Victims | Taiwanese Nationals trafficked | 88 victims (rescued: 52 so far) |
| Criminal Revenue | Profit per victim | US$17,000 – US$18,000 |
Efforts Against Human Trafficking: Taiwan’s Ongoing Commitment
Taiwan’s Supreme Court decision sends a clear message that those involved in human trafficking will be held accountable, regardless of their connections or denial of wrongdoing. The case also highlights the Taiwanese government’s continued commitment to combating human trafficking and organized crime both domestically and internationally.
Taiwan’s response to the crime ring has been praised as an example of interagency cooperation and public vigilance in tackling complex transnational crimes. Authorities have called for greater efforts to raise public awareness about fraudulent job offers and to increase safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What were the charges against Lee Chen-hao?
Lee was convicted of human trafficking, participation in organized crime, and fraud. He was found to have trafficked 88 Taiwanese nationals to Cambodia for forced labor.
2. How did the crime ring operate?
The crime ring lured victims through fake job advertisements on social media offering high-paying jobs in Cambodia. Once in Cambodia, victims had their passports seized and were forced into illegal labor or had to pay large ransoms to return home.
3. What sentences were given to Lee’s accomplices?
Lee’s accomplices were sentenced to 9 to 16.5 years in prison, a reduction from their initial sentences after some pled guilty and cooperated with the authorities.
4. How many victims have been rescued so far?
As of now, Taiwanese authorities have rescued 52 victims. 22 victims were rescued in 2022, and another 30 victims were saved since then.
5. What actions are being taken to prevent future trafficking cases?
The Taiwanese government is increasing efforts to raise awareness about fraudulent job offers and working to implement more robust safeguards to protect citizens from human trafficking.
