Taiwan Citizens Warned on Extradition Risks over Chinese Loans

Taiwanese citizens are at risk of extradition to China if they fail to repay loans taken with a Chinese ID card, warned a Taiwan security official. Concerns escalated after a YouTube video by rapper Chen Po-yuan shed light on cross-border e-commerce tactics and fraudulent activities involving Chinese ID applications.

A Taiwanese security official has issued a cautionary message to citizens, warning that those who secure loans in China using a Chinese ID card may face extradition if they fail to repay.

This warning aligns with a recent YouTube video by Taiwanese rapper Chen Po-yuan and YouTuber "Pa Chiung," highlighting China's "united front" tactics.

Lin Jincheng, a prominent figure in the Taiwan Youth Entrepreneurship Park located in Fujian, China, has advocated for Taiwanese to acquire Chinese ID cards to bolster cross-border business ventures, despite legal challenges back home.

Citizens are urged to be cautious as officials have observed instances of Taiwanese borrowing excessively, rerouting funds, and later transferring them back to Taiwan as part of a fraudulent trend.

The warning also extends to academic circles where professors organize so-called "exchange" tours, encouraging students to obtain Chinese IDs under the guise of convenience.

Intermediaries promise hassle-free purchases and loans without repayment obligations, creating dummy accounts, escalating the risk of identity misuse for scams.

(With inputs from agencies.)