Number of Economic Crimes in a Downturn in Taiwan.

According to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of the Interior, the nationwide police authorities had cracked down on 8314 cases of economic crimes involving a total value of NTD16.225 billion from January through September 2009, which represents 52 cases fewer and NTD5.17 billion value lesser than that during the same period of 2008, mainly attributable to the sharp drop in case number of IP infringements.  On the contrary, the number of suspects tracked (12,033 persons) increases by 1139 persons from that of the same period of 2008, owing to the rising number of financial violation suspects.

In order to safeguard the rights and interests of legal business entities and consumers, the police authorities around the island have been making efforts to bust illegal economic activities and thus successfully cause a fall in the number of economic crimes. 

Of all economic crime cases investigated during the first nine months of 2009, IP infringements and financial crimes comprise 47.5% and 31.5%, respectively, and 80% altogether.

Also, the value of financial crimes accounts for 47.3% of the total value involved in economic crimes, followed by IP infringements at 43.6%.  There is a comparative NTD9.4 billion value decrease in IP infringements compared with that in 2008, while financial crimes contribute a drastic increase in the value by NTD3.7 billion.

To eradicate IP infringements, nationwide police agencies have been collaborating with competent authorities to conduct regular and irregular raid actions.  In the period of the first nine months of 2009, there had been 3,949 cases of IP infringements uncovered to involve 4,239 suspects and NTD7.069 billion in total value of counterfeits, which indicates a decline in case number by 737, in suspect number by 833, and in value involved by NTD9.363 billion.  Among those IP infringement cases, trademark infringements comprise 1,879 cases with 2101 suspects tracked and NTD0.998 billion value involved; copyright infringements cover 2,070 cases with 2,192 suspects busted and NTD6.071 billion value involved. (2009.10)
/CCS