TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwanese woman faces extradition to China for allegedly defrauding and murdering a Chinese citizen and an American citizen in the Philippines.
On Sept. 22, the suspect was arrested in Seoul, South Korea, where she will be extradited to China. Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau confirmed that the suspect was a 44-year-old Taiwanese woman born in Taipei, surnamed Chen (陳), per CNA.
China and South Korea signed an extradition treaty in 2000, and extradition is possible regardless of nationality. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it would cooperate in Chen’s extradition process.
Chinese media reported that Chen, initially referred to as Lee Na (李娜), invited two men to the Philippines to discuss a potential business deal on overseas distribution. Upon arrival, she allegedly kidnapped, defrauded, and murdered the two men, whose bodies were found dead four days later.
The two victims include a Chinese citizen surnamed Xia (夏), 39, an international marketing director at Raimed Medical, and an American citizen surnamed Sun (孫), 45, who worked as a distributor for a cardiovascular medical device company. Xia’s family reportedly paid three million yuan (NT$13.62 million) of ransom money.
In July, Philippine police used photos to identify Chen and at least one other individual as suspects in the murder case. At the time of the investigation, Lee had already fled the Philippines.
Philippine authorities said kidnapping cases have emerged in recent years, with most of the victims being Chinese citizens. In the past, Chinese courts have tried Taiwanese who committed crimes abroad.
