By Chen Kuan-pei and Jason Pan \/ Staff reporters <\/p>\n
Authorities in Changhua County yesterday arrested four people accused of running an underground election gambling ring and confiscating NT$1.19 million (US$38,137). <\/p>\n
After receiving a tip-off, county prosecutors coordinated with police to surveil and raid three locations, arresting the primary suspects at their residences, Changhua County Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang Shu-yuan () said. <\/p>\n
The suspects were offering odds and payouts for wagers on votes for presidential candidates, updating the odds based on the latest election news, Huang said. <\/p>\n
Photo: Chen Kuan-bei, Taipei Times <\/p>\n
Their actions are quite damaging, affecting impartiality for holding a fair election, she said. <\/p>\n
The suspects face gambling charges under the Criminal Code and the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act (). <\/p>\n
The suspects are a 62-year-old man surnamed Huang (), believed to be the leader of the operation, along with a man surnamed Peng (), 70, and two women, surnamed Yang (), 53, and Chen (), 45. <\/p>\n
After questioning, Huang was released on bail of NT$100,000, while the other suspects were released on NT$30,000 bail. <\/p>\n
The Ministry of Justice is providing a reward of NT$1 million for information leading to the arrest of underground betting rings with more than 40 members and with a betting pool of more than NT$1 million, the government announced earlier this month. <\/p>\n
Informants could receive an additional NT$100,000 for every 10 percent increase in the number of members involved above 40 capped at NT$500,000. <\/p>\n
Those reporting on an election gambling ring involving more than NT$5 million could receive an additional NT$50,000 for every additional NT$5 million in betting funds found, capped at NT$500,000. <\/p>\n
People who report interference by foreign forces in the presidential election could receive a reward of up to NT$10 million. Informants would receive an additional NT$1 million for each additional person reported, up to a maximum of NT$20 million. <\/p>\n
The Changhua County Prosecutors Office said that authorities would protect whistle-blowers identities in cases leading to arrests. <\/p>\n
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2024 Elections: Changhua officials arrest four for election gambling -<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Chen Kuan-pei and Jason Pan \/ Staff reporters Authorities in Changhua County yesterday arrested four people accused of running an underground election gambling ring and confiscating NT$1.19 million (US$38,137). After receiving a tip-off, county prosecutors coordinated with police to surveil and raid three locations, arresting the primary suspects at their residences, Changhua County Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang Shu-yuan () said. The suspects were offering odds and payouts for wagers on votes for presidential candidates, updating the odds based on the latest election news, Huang said Continue reading