DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Lawyer accused of defrauding Tzu Chi of NT$1 billion in vaccine deal; past anti-fraud advocacy exposed

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A prominent lawyer, Chen Yuxuan, is accused of defrauding the Tzu Chi Foundation of over NT$1 billion (approximately US$30 million) in a scheme to procure BNT vaccines.
  • Ironically, Chen Yuxuan had previously participated in anti-fraud campaigns, highlighting a stark contrast between her public advocacy and alleged criminal actions.
  • The case has sparked public outrage and accusations of hypocrisy, with netizens criticizing her past statements on fraud victims.

A shocking case has emerged in Taiwan involving Chen Yuxuan, a former chairwoman of the Changhua Bar Association and legal advisor to the Taichung city government. She is accused of colluding with intermediaries to defraud the Tzu Chi Foundation of over NT$1 billion (approximately US$30 million) in a complex scheme involving the procurement of BNT vaccines.

Our lawyers should educate these foolish people, these ignorant people...

— Chen YuxuanFrom a 2023 speech on fraud prevention, highlighting the irony given the current allegations.

The situation is particularly ironic given Chen Yuxuan's past public activities. Just three years ago, she was invited to participate in a judicial reform press conference to promote anti-fraud measures. At the time, she reportedly spoke critically of fraud victims, labeling them as "ignorant" and "lacking wisdom." This stark contrast between her public persona and the current allegations has deeply resonated with the public.

During the severe COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, when vaccines were scarce, Tzu Chi reportedly trusted Chen Yuxuan's claims of having access to BNT vaccine channels. Despite warnings from then-Health Minister Chen Shih-chung against private vaccine brokers, Tzu Chi engaged Chen Yuxuan to procure 5 million doses of BNT vaccines. The foundation paid a commission fee of US$30 million, which was allegedly embezzled by the lawyer and her associates.

Super ironic, dark lawyer.

— NetizenComment on social media regarding Chen Yuxuan's alleged actions.

As more details of Chen Yuxuan's background surface, including videos of her past speeches on fraud prevention, the public's sense of betrayal and anger has intensified. Netizens have widely condemned her alleged actions, calling the situation "super ironic" and highlighting the hypocrisy of a lawyer accused of fraud lecturing others on ignorance and desire. The case has ignited a fierce debate about trust, legal ethics, and the vulnerability of even large organizations to sophisticated scams.

The most ironic thing is probably not that a person once stood on stage talking about 'education,' but that she once used such a high moral stance to teach others what 'ignorance' and 'desire' are.

— NetizenComment on social media reflecting on the hypocrisy of the situation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog