Local prosecutors have indicted a news anchor in Taiwan for allegedly accepting cryptocurrency payments from an "overseas hostile force" to produce news shows and bribe soldiers into leaking military secrets.
The Taiwan Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office said in a Wednesday press release that Lin Chen-you, 28, allegedly worked under the direction of a Chinese agent when producing news content for CTi News, a major local cable news network, and the outlet's YouTube channel.
According to prosecutors, Lin received at least 4,325 USDT last year from a Chinese national surnamed Huang, who allegedly provided story ideas and approved scripts criticizing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's recall campaign. Prosecutors said the media operation was part of a broader effort to compromise national security.
Meanwhile, prosecutors alleged that Lin has helped bribe six active or retired Army and Navy personnel into leaking military secrets since 2023. Authorities said Lin transferred money to the soldiers in exchange for photos of classified documents. Lin then allegedly received overseas crypto payments totaling NT$169,493 ($5,395) from the Chinese agent through accounts on Binance and OKX, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.
"Lin, as a well-known journalist, had a responsibility to hold the government to account and safeguard the public's right to information in his reporting, but instead served a hostile foreign power for many years for personal gain," the prosecutors said during a press conference on Wednesday, the Taipei Times reported.
Prosecutors are seeking up to 12 years in prison for Lin, who was indicted on charges including violations of the Anti-Infiltration Act, the Money Laundering Control Act, and the Anti-Corruption Act. The six military officials were also indicted.