TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The director of a prominent dental clinic was released on NT$1 million bail (approximately US$30,740) early Thursday (April 24) after authorities uncovered what they described as an elaborate scheme to smuggle Chinese nationals into Taiwan. Pan Yun-shan (潘韞珊), who heads Magic Dental Care (魔法牙醫), allegedly helped facilitate illegal entry for nearly 700 Chinese citizens under false pretenses.
Law enforcement officials from multiple agencies, including Taiwan's Investigation Bureau (調查局) and National Immigration Agency (移民署), executed coordinated raids that led to the interrogation of Pan and nine other suspects. During questioning, Pan maintained her innocence, insisting her activities were legitimate efforts to develop international medical tourism rather than a criminal enterprise.
Investigators believe the dental clinic, which had marketed itself as a medical tourism destination, worked in concert with several Taiwanese travel agencies to orchestrate the scheme. The operation allegedly involved charging Chinese nationals for packages advertised as "dental correction and tourism" to secure their entry into Taiwan. Officials claim the conspiracy included creating fraudulent medical documentation, while some visitors subsequently vanished or allegedly engaged in prohibited activities including sex work.
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, 衛服部) has already revoked the clinic's participation in the government-sanctioned international medical program. According to official records, approximately 700 Chinese nationals entered Taiwan through this arrangement during a six-month period ending May 2023. Prosecutors allege the scheme violated multiple laws, including the "Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area" (台灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例), which regulates cross-strait interactions, and provisions of the "Criminal Code" (刑法) concerning fraudulent documentation. ★
