• By Chen Kuan-pei and Jason Pan / Staff reporters

Authorities in Changhua County yesterday arrested four people accused of running an underground election gambling ring and confiscating NT$1.19 million (US$38,137).

After receiving a tip-off, county prosecutors coordinated with police to surveil and raid three locations, arresting the primary suspects at their residences, Changhua County Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang Shu-yuan (黃淑媛) said.

The suspects were offering odds and payouts for wagers on votes for presidential candidates, updating the odds based on the latest election news, Huang said.

Photo: Chen Kuan-bei, Taipei Times

“Their actions are quite damaging, affecting impartiality for holding a fair election,” she said.

The suspects face gambling charges under the Criminal Code and the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act (總統副總統選舉罷免法).

The suspects are a 62-year-old man surnamed Huang (黃), believed to be the leader of the operation, along with a man surnamed Peng (彭), 70, and two women, surnamed Yang (楊), 53, and Chen (陳), 45.

After questioning, Huang was released on bail of NT$100,000, while the other suspects were released on NT$30,000 bail.

The Ministry of Justice is providing a reward of NT$1 million for information leading to the arrest of underground betting rings with more than 40 members and with a betting pool of more than NT$1 million, the government announced earlier this month.

Informants could receive an additional NT$100,000 for every 10 percent increase in the number of members involved above 40 capped at NT$500,000.

Those reporting on an election gambling ring involving more than NT$5 million could receive an additional NT$50,000 for every additional NT$5 million in betting funds found, capped at NT$500,000.

People who report interference by foreign forces in the presidential election could receive a reward of up to NT$10 million. Informants would receive an additional NT$1 million for each additional person reported, up to a maximum of NT$20 million.

The Changhua County Prosecutors’ Office said that authorities would protect whistle-blowers’ identities in cases leading to arrests.