TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Acting on information provided by Thailand, police in Taiwan detained 21 suspects believed to have been laundering money for gambling websites, reports said Tuesday.

The group allegedly made NT$406 million (US$12.91 million) in illegal income, per CNA. The activities came to light after Thai police nabbed a money laundering center in Chiang Mai operated by suspects from Thailand and Malaysia.

The investigation led the Thai authorities to believe that a group based in Taiwan was also involved. They contacted the Criminal Investigation Bureau’s office in Bangkok with the information.

The chief suspect is believed to be a man surnamed Luo (羅) who had rented a business office in Taipei’s Neihu District. He registered a technology company at the site and recruited staff for money laundering operations, according to the CIB.

Since 2023, Luo assisted gambling websites in Thailand and Vietnam with their financial activities. He also contacted fraud rings and helped them launder money in return for handling fees.

From September 2023 to April 2025, Luo’s group allegedly laundered NT$18.2 billion, During raids on the offices, the CIB found NT$30.08 million worth of cryptocurrencies and NT$8.45 million in cash. The total value of the funds and the real estate controlled by the group is estimated at NT$165.51 million, CNA reported.

The 21 suspects were released on bail while prosecutors investigate them for breaking laws against corruption, fraud, gambling, and organized crime.