The case involving Taiwan CTI News anchor Lin Chen-you, suspected of violating the National Security Act, continues to expand. Prosecutors and investigators have recently disclosed details about the sources of his funding, operational methods, and suspected use of media resources for profit, drawing widespread public attention. The case now involves multiple active-duty and retired military personnel, with ongoing efforts to trace the funding sources and organizational networks behind it.
Taiwanese media reports reveal that Lin Chen-you, nicknamed “Ma De,” allegedly accepted funding from the Chinese Communist Party. According to the reports, he produced content for the program “Is Ma De Okay?” based on specific topics designated by Chinese authorities, or by submitting proposals to them in advance for approval before production. Payments reportedly ranged from NT$50,000 to NT$200,000 per episode. The Democratic Progressive Party’s legislative caucus has condemned the actions, stating that such behavior severely harms press freedom and Taiwan’s democratic system.
Lin Chen-you remains in detention. Print media have exposed the alleged channels and pricing for the “red money” he received. The Chinese side is suspected of offering three pricing tiers for his program content. One is a “commissioned” type, where Chinese authorities review and provide outlines and processes, with specific objectives and targeted subjects, effectively making him a full mouthpiece; payments for this type range from NT$100,000 to NT$200,000 per episode. Another is a “free topic” type, where “Ma De” develops content independently but must submit proposals to China in advance, with payment of about NT$50,000 per episode.
In addition, “Ma De” is also accused of allegedly using funds originating from the Chinese Communist Party to approach financially struggling military personnel, acting as an intermediary (“white glove”) to bribe active-duty Taiwanese officers and soldiers into leaking military secrets or internal information. The payments involved reportedly ranged from several thousand to tens of thousands of New Taiwan dollars, with the price for confidential information on attack drones said to be NT$180,000.
Investigators found that Lin Chen-you did not shy away from using his own personal accounts to receive payments, thereby establishing channels for intelligence exchange, with illegal gains exceeding NT$1 million. He is also suspected of using television station resources to produce programs while pocketing the payments himself, potentially constituting a breach of trust.
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Complex sources and operational methods of funding flows
Investigators further discovered that the financial flows in this case were not limited to simple bank transfers, but also involved underground remittance systems and cryptocurrencies (such as Tether/USDT) for moving funds. The total amount has exceeded several million New Taiwan dollars, indicating that the sources of funding and operational methods behind the case are highly complex.
According to Mirror Media, It is alleged that China’s United Front Work Department, through individuals codenamed “Jixiang” and others, recruited officers and soldiers from key units such as the Army Aviation and Special Forces Command and Marine Corps drone units. They were instructed to provide classified military information or film pro-China propaganda videos. The funds provided by China were allegedly converted from Tether into New Taiwan dollars by an intermediary known as “money handler” Chen Zhicheng, and then distributed as payments ranging from NT$70,000 to NT$1.74 million per person. Among them, a drone operator was reportedly bribed with NT$180,000 to leak operational military information.
In addition to irregular financial flows, prosecutors have also gathered evidence suggesting that Lin Chen-you may have used his media and television station resources to develop personal programs and generate income through related platforms. Some reports indicate that the flow of funds and income structure from his programs and online content were opaque, and may have involved income not being recorded within the company system but instead collected personally—making this a key focus of the investigation.
Furthermore, the investigation indicates that this was not an isolated act but rather a network with a division of roles. Some individuals were responsible for contacting military personnel, others for providing funds, while Lin Chen-you is believed to have acted as an intermediary and executor. Prosecutors also suspect that the infiltration efforts targeted lower-ranking service members, gradually obtaining sensitive military information through financial inducements and debt pressure.
On the 14th, the Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office indicted a spy case. Among the 10 defendants, including Lin Chen-you, 9 are current or former military personnel, including Major Lin Jun-yi, a political warfare and security officer from the Army Aviation Special Forces Command. Prosecutors are seeking heavy sentences on charges including corruption and violations of the National Security Act, and have continued detention for 7 of the suspects. The case is still expanding, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility that more individuals and financial flows will be uncovered. Prosecutors emphasized that the actions have seriously endangered national security and vowed to continue tracing the sources of funds and intelligence flows in accordance with the law.
By Li Ming
