Case histories: Tentacles of espionage

After arriving in Taiwan in 2012, a postgraduate student surnamed Liu and her friend decided to take a tour during the holidays. Chen Hsiao-zi, a Taiwan resident whom she had just met, offered to help them plan the trip and be their tour guide. He also covered some of the costs during the trip.

Chen encouraged Liu to pursue a career as a civil servant or an official on the mainland.

He contacted her after she returned to the mainland, asking her to attend an aviation expo and take some pictures. He said his company would cover the expense and pay her. Liu became suspicious and chose to break off contact.