According to Taiwan’s justice ministry, cases of bribery using Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are increasing in the country. The ministry stated that cryptocurrencies are emerging as tools of corruption alongside traditional cash. It expressed concerns that BTC, Ether, and other cryptocurrencies could be used as “election bribery tools” in the upcoming general elections in January 2024. The ministry emphasized that the police force and prosecutors are actively working to prevent crypto and other forms of corruption from influencing the election. In addition to cryptocurrencies, corrupt officials are also being offered bribes through mobile e-payment platforms like Line Pay, Pi Wallet, Jiekou, and Oufubao. The ministry revealed that significant rewards have been given to individuals who reported cases of suspected bribery over the past two decades.
Taiwanese Bitcoin, ETH Bribery Cases Rise – Who Are Corrupt Officials?
According to the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, a total of 1,335 corruption cases were processed following last year’s municipal elections in Taiwan. More than 700 individuals have been taken to trial for charges related to corruption in connection with the elections. The list of officials involved in bribery includes former members of Taiwan’s executive body, ex-central government officials, a mayor, a city council speaker, a deputy speaker, and other high-ranking public office-holders. Recently, it was reported that Taiwan Mobile, one of the country’s major telecommunications firms, has been in talks with several local cryptocurrency platforms. There is a possibility that Taiwan Mobile may enter into a partnership agreement with at least one of these platforms, according to sources familiar with the matter.