International Conference on Criminal Investigations and International Cooperation in the Digital Era Successfully Concludes

The Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Anti-Money Laundering Office of the Executive Yuan, successfully hosted the “Criminal Investigations and International Cooperation in the Digital Era—Tackling Cross-Border Fraud as a Starting Point” conference on June 10–11, 2025. With the active participation of 17 domestic and international experts, judges, prosecutors, police officers, and personnel from anti-money laundering authorities, the event concluded successfully.

In response to the emerging criminal threats brought by rapidly evolving digital technologies, Taiwan has established a legal foundation for technological investigations by introducing a special chapter on investigative measures into the Code of Criminal Procedure. This framework authorizes law enforcement agencies to lawfully employ technology-based methods to enhance the precision of criminal investigations.

The conference aimed to explore international regulations and practices in digital governance and technological investigations, seeking to both learn from global experiences and present Taiwan’s current mechanisms to the international community. Experts from judicial and academic sectors, along with specialists in cryptocurrency tracing from the UK, engaged in in-depth discussions on platform governance, international cooperation, cross-border fraud, and the application of investigative technologies.

The event opened with remarks from Deputy Minister of Justice Hsi-Hsiang Hsu, who emphasized that no single nation can tackle the complex and evolving nature of transnational digital crimes alone. He called for strengthened international cooperation and information sharing, hoping the conference would help further develop global judicial networks and reinforce the legal framework for technological investigations, ensuring justice continues to prevail in the digital era.

Mr. Lutz Güllner, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office, delivered the keynote address, affirming the shared values of democracy and the rule of law between the EU and Taiwan. He highlighted the growing geopolitical challenges of disinformation and digital threats, underscoring the importance of international cooperation and legal frameworks. He also shared insights on how EU initiatives, such as the Digital Services Act, has advanced cross-border collaboration—offering an inspiring launch to the conference dialogue.

In the session on “Digital Platform Governance and International Cooperation”, moderated by National Member for the Netherlands, Eurojust, Director Chin-Fu Lin from the Institute of Law for Science and Technology at National Tsing Hua University introduced how the Digital Services Act strengthens platform responsibility and transparency. A Cybercrime specialist from Europe shared insights on digital evidence collection in criminal proceedings both within the EU and with third countries. The Chief Public Prosecutor of Bavarian Central Office for the Prosecution of Cybercrime discussed gathering evidence through international cooperation when investigating crimes involving online platforms.

The session on “Combating Fraud and Asset Recovery”, moderated by Minister without Portfolio Ming-Hsin Lin of the Executive Yuan, featured experienced experts and law enforcement officials, including a director of UK-based firm Gentium, the Deputy Commander of High-Tech Crime Division of the Cybercrime Investigation Bureau of the Royal Thai Police, Advisor Chien-Ju Yeh of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, and an investigator from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office of Korea. The panel focused on tracing and realizing crypto-related illicit assets, investigating online fraud and money laundering, and implementing practical measures for asset freezing and recovery.

In the session on “Legal Framework and Practical Implementation of Technology-Based Investigations”, moderated by Deputy Minister Mou-Hsin Huang and Prosecutor General Tai Chao Hsing, an Assistant U.S. Attorney discussed the issue of balancing drone surveillance with privacy rights. A judge from the Hamburg-Altona District Court presented on the use of Trojans by German law enforcement, while a coordinator from Korea’s Supreme Prosecutors’ Office shared their experience integrating technological tools in drug investigations. Head Prosecutor Wei-Yuan Lo from the Shilin District Prosecutors Office and Squadron Chief Natalia Chang from the National Police Agency shared practical experience in crypto-tracing and asset recovery. Prosecutor Hui-Hsin Huang from the Taipei District Prosecutors Office and Judge Yu-Chieh Shih from the Taiwan High Court offered a detailed analysis of Taiwan’s legal framework for technological investigations and the balance with human rights protection. The session concluded with a presentation by Prosecutor An-Chen Chang from the Supreme Prosecutors Office on Taiwan’s innovative “b-JADE” (Judicial Alliance Chain) system, showcasing a forward-looking approach to tech-based investigations.

This conference not only deepened international exchanges but also strengthened Taiwan’s law enforcement community’s understanding and application of digital-era investigative technologies and international cooperation mechanisms. Through continued dialogue and collaboration, Taiwan and its global partners can together establish a new model of digital governance that upholds both efficiency and human rights.