Taiwan Charges 35 in NT$30.6B Online Gambling and Laundering Case

Prosecutors in Taiwan have charged 35 individuals in connection with a massive illegal online gambling and money laundering operation. The scheme is said to have processed over NT$30.6 billion in illicit funds. The case revolves around a sophisticated network that used custom payment platforms to facilitate transactions on unlicensed websites across multiple Asian countries.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office revealed that the scheme functioned for several years, using intermediary services to block the source and destination of funds. Investigators estimate that the operation managed about US$975 million in its lifespan.

Key Figure Behind Taiwan Gambling Ring

Prosecutors have identified a 41-year-old man named Lo as the key player in this case. Lo, who operates a Hong Kong-style diner in Taipei, reportedly launched the operation in August 2020 after obtaining the source code for a payment platform.

This technology led to the creation of HeroPay and MatchPay.

Lo is facing charges of money laundering, illegal online gambling, and organized crime, which could end in a combined prison sentence of nine years and six months. Prosecutors also seek to confiscate funds generated by the operation. The network allegedly used these platforms to mask financial transactions, flying under the regulatory oversight radar and allowing the operation’s volume to grow to nearly US$1 billion.

Expansion of Syndicate’s Operations

The syndicate’s activities intensified in June 2022 with the launch of its own online gambling site, Rich 11, offering games such as baccarat, slots, and sports betting. HeroPay reportedly served as the primary method for processing player deposits on this platform.

Authorities estimate that from July 2021 to September 9, 2025, funds associated with Rich 11 and other illegal gambling services clocked NT$30.695 billion. Prosecutors claim these funds were used for Lo’s personal profits, payment platform operation costs, and investments in other ventures. One such venture was a Taipei restaurant named Dongyin Quick Knifeman, allegedly serving as a front for the operation, similar to Lo’s diner.

Indictments Under Taiwan’s Legal Framework

All defendants face charges under Taiwan’s Organized Crime Prevention Act, the Money Laundering Control Act, and relevant provisions of the Criminal Code regarding online gambling. This case underscores Taiwan’s intensified efforts against illegal betting, as lawmakers recently enhanced penalties for sports betting manipulation due to growing concerns about sophisticated underground gambling operations.