Debt. That’s what prosecutors say drove a former military police sergeant to give sensitive data to a suspected Chinese intelligence organization.
They say the 23-year-old was looking for loans when he was targeted online.
Now, the former military police officer, surnamed Hsu, has been indicted for leaking classified intelligence and accepting bribes.
The prosecutors’ office has filed charges under the Anti-Corruption Act for accepting bribes in violation of his duties as an officer and the National Security Act for leaking official secrets to China. We have requested a sentence of at least six years.
The indictment says that military police should be held to a higher moral standard.
The investigation revealed that Hsu filmed videos, made copies of his military ID, and shared military intelligence with a supposedly “anti-war and pro-peace" organization based in China in exchange for about $9,700 US dollars in loans. He also gave an analytical review of the Taiwanese TV series “Zero Day Attack” which depicts a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Of the espionage cases we are aware of involving the CCP, nearly 70% involve those with military backgrounds. Spies are often recruited using financial incentives.
In recent years, prosecutors have been cracking down on Chinese infiltration and espionage. Several cases have involved high-ranking military or government personnel using various means.
This highlights how CCP infiltration employs tactics and methods including emotional appeals, financial incentives and threats to lure and recruit spies.
As the military continues to weed out spies, the government is trying to strengthen incentives for soldiers to boost morale and retain loyalty as the security and integrity of the country's biggest defense against China is critical.
Dolphine Chen and Tiffany Wong for TaiwanPlus.
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