President of the Republic of China, Tsai Ing-wen, attended a meeting at the Police Administration Bureau today to discuss the ongoing efforts to combat fraud. According to data, less than one-tenth of fraud cases in Taiwan are successfully solved each year. President Tsai exhorted police officers to continue their hard work in reducing the rate of deception and protecting the public.
In his speech at the “Police Administration Bureau’s 1st Meeting of 2025,” President Tsai emphasized the vital role of the police force as the embodiment of social justice, guardians of traffic safety, and caretakers of the people. Besides maintaining public order and safety, the police also ensure pedestrian safety, facilitate traffic flow, and care for the welfare of the citizens. He expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the nation to the police for their unwavering dedication and service 24/7 every single day.
President Tsai acknowledged the significant efforts put forth in the past year in combating fraud, police reform, and caring for colleagues. He mentioned the establishment and amendment of the “Anti-fraud New Four Laws” in July last year, reinforced by the Administrative Yuan’s “Fraud Command Center” to enhance anti-fraud efforts. The collaboration of various sectors in publicizing anti-fraud measures indicated a collective commitment to tackling fraudulent activities.
Despite the successful resolution of 2,430 fraud cases and the confiscation of over NT$14.4 billion worth of illicit gains, President Tsai noted that the overall proportion of solved cases remains less than one-tenth of the estimated 182,500 fraud incidents that occur annually in Taiwan. This calls for continuous efforts to increase awareness, prevent fraud, and protect the citizens from falling prey to scam operations.
President Tsai outlined the launch of the “Anti-Fraud Guideline 2.0” this year to expand the scope of anti-fraud measures and enhance supervision over the digital economy industry. He stressed the necessity of proactive collaboration between the public and private sectors to prevent fraud from the source, strengthen financial security, and achieve the shared goal of protecting the people from financial scams.
Regarding police reform, President Tsai highlighted the recent adjustment of the 65-year-old criminal case statistics system, emphasizing the successful integration of the Criminal Record System and the E-Management Platform to streamline operational processes. By leveraging police reform, technological investigation, and big data analysis, the government aims to empower frontline officers with streamlined operations, accurate crime trend monitoring, and effective crime prevention to maintain societal order.
President Tsai emphasized the importance of integrating technology into police work while upholding the foundational principles of respecting the public, conducting objective investigations, and avoiding unnecessary extravagance. He encouraged the adherence to these core values in order to enhance police performance, secure public support, and foster a stronger, more responsible police force.
Looking ahead to the new year, President Tsai recognized the ongoing challenges in maintaining public security and urged the police force to remain steadfast in combating organized crime, improving digital capabilities, and enhancing international cooperation. Despite the successful crackdown on over 700 criminal syndicates by the Police Administration Bureau last year, the evolving nature of organized crime necessitates sustained efforts to combat these threats effectively.
President Tsai highlighted the alarming characteristics of modern organized crime, such as extensive networks, numerous factions, and close ties to local entities, including collaborations with foreign actors, posing significant threats to societal order and national security. To address such challenges, he called for rigorous law enforcement, strategic resource allocation, and resolute action to combat criminal syndicates and ensure public safety.
He stressed the urgency in adapting investigative approaches and enhancing digital forensics capabilities to tackle rapidly evolving criminal tactics like online scams, cyberattacks, and illicit activities on the dark web. By reinforcing technological crime-fighting strategies and expanding international collaborations, the government aims to enhance Taiwan’s law enforcement network, bolster global visibility, and safeguard the security of its citizens effectively.
In fostering international police exchanges, the Police Administration Bureau organized training camps and international police cooperation forums, facilitating close interactions with enforcement officials from 45 countries to combat cross-border crimes. President Tsai reiterated the government’s commitment to devising countermeasures against cases of Taiwanese nationals falling victim to fraud or mistreatment abroad, ensuring timely responses and support from relevant authorities.
President Tsai mentioned the professional training provided to police officers in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism efforts, empowering them with specialized certifications and expertise. He emphasized the continuous improvement of international cooperation, anti-fraud capabilities, and expansion of law enforcement networks to bolster Taiwan’s presence on the global stage and effectively protect its citizens’ safety.
As the lunar new year approaches, President Tsai expressed gratitude to all police officers for their dedication and sacrifices, especially during the holiday season when many citizens are on vacation while essential workers like police personnel, doctors, military personnel, coast guard, and firefighters continue to uphold their duties. He extended his well wishes for a joyful new year, safe celebrations, and successful endeavors, along with the distribution of rewards to commend the tireless efforts of police colleagues in maintaining public order.