TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A man in Taipei was prosecuted in May for secretly filming women and underaged girls in MRT bathrooms across Taipei and selling the videos online. 

The 36-year-old suspect, surnamed Liao (廖), had been hiding GoPro cameras in locations such as MRT stations, high schools, and department stores since 2017, per CNA. Liao, who was unemployed, sold the videos online, making over NT$10 million (US$312,00) in illegal profits to buy stock and real estate. 

The Kaohsiung District Prosecutor's Office identified 3,792 victims over seven years, many of whom were minors. Most of the victims were not aware they were filmed or that naked images of them were being sold. 

Liao used platforms such as LINE groups to communicate with buyers. He also used Telegram to create forums where the images and videos were shared.

Investigators found that buyers on the platform had to exchange cryptocurrency to buy a NT$2,000 (US$62) membership first, then the over 300 members exchanged points to see the content. Liao categorized the images and videos into series such as “students” and sold them for NT$200-900 per item. 

After receiving a report from a former member last year, the Kaohsiung District Prosecutor's Office searched Liao’s residence in Taipei's Shilin District, where they seized computers, mobile phones, GoPro cameras, and portable hard drives as evidence. Liao will be prosecuted for violating the Personal Data Protection Act (個人資料保護法), along with the Child and Juvenile Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act (兒童及少年性剝削防制條例) and the Child and Juvenile Welfare and Rights Protection Act (兒童及少年福利與權益保障法). 

Police said that secret filming occurs frequently without victims’ knowledge, including in public restrooms and locker rooms. They warned the public to be vigilant and said if they see anything suspicious, including small objects that could be hidden cameras, to immediately call the police to investigate.