China improves infiltration methods: Taiwanese military officer accepts USDT in exchange for national secrets, Telegram anonymous individuals

On September 3, according to the Kaohsiung Qiaotou District Prosecutor's Office statement, two military officers were investigated and prosecuted by the prosecutors for allegedly leaking state secrets in exchange for bribes in the form of the cryptocurrency USDT from China. The prosecutors stated that the two officers received a total of 8,151 Tether (USDT) in exchange for at least 7 confidential military documents.

Taiwanese Military Officers Bribed with USDT to Steal Secrets

According to prosecutors, starting in December 2022, a military officer surnamed Han in Taiwan, due to financial needs, met a Chinese individual going by the alias "Sweet Voice" online. After reaching an agreement through the messaging app Telegram, Han collected and photographed confidential military documents and smuggled them out of the base in various ways. The Chinese individual, known as "Sweet Voice," then transferred 7,222 USDT (equivalent to around NT$231,104) to Han's account as agreed.

Another officer surnamed Lin, on February 11, 2024, took the opportunity of meeting Han in the base and handed over his military account information. Lin logged into the internal military website, saved seven confidential documents including communication warfare manuals, and smuggled them out of the base.

Following the successful operation, on February 15, 2024, "Sweet Voice" transferred 929 USDT to Han's account. Both officers are currently facing charges by the prosecutors, including violating the "National Security Law" and "Anti-Corruption Law."

Continuous Infiltration, Retired Military Officers also Targeted

In another case in August, the Taoyuan City Investigation Bureau discovered that ten retired military personnel were recruited by Chinese officials, lured with money, and assisted in developing organizations for China in Taiwan. The Taiwan High Court indicted them for offenses related to the "National Security Law, National Confidentiality Protection Law, Army, Navy, Air Force Criminal Law, Anti-Corruption Act, and Criminal Code," and sentenced the 10 suspects to prison.

The longest sentence handed out was 13 years, while others received 18 months of imprisonment. The charges included leaking military secrets to China in exchange for undisclosed cryptocurrency.

Using Cryptocurrency to Infiltrate the Taiwanese Military, National Security Faces New Challenges

Recent cases in Kaohsiung and Taoyuan demonstrate how China uses cryptocurrencies like USDT to bribe both active-duty and retired Taiwanese military officers to illegally obtain military secrets. The anonymity and convenience of cryptocurrencies make cross-border espionage operations easier, allowing China to infiltrate the Taiwanese military and expand the scope of intelligence warfare.

These events underscore the potential risks that cryptocurrencies pose to national security, showing how China accelerates its infiltration of Taiwan's defense system through digital means. It is imperative to strengthen counterintelligence and information security measures, as well as enhance cryptocurrency regulation to prevent the leakage of national secrets through digital channels.