The police department in southern Taiwan made a shocking discovery recently that certain members of the Coast Guard, the police force and the Motor Vehicles Office may have been bribed into leaking personally identifiable information to private investigators. And four suspects have already been arrested.

While investigating an incident involving pirates, the Southern Crime Center discovered that a credit agency had been illegally obtaining personal information, including phone records, household registration information, and names from police, the Coast Guard, and highway supervisors.

Prosecutors have questioned more than 20 suspects around the island, and six suspects are being indicted for accepting bribes in exchange for leaking private data.

Four police officers and one highway supervisor have been released on 50,000 NT to 200,000 NT bail, while a junior Coast Guard officer has been handed over to military investigators.

Three suspects from the credit agency have also been released on 20,000 NT to 200,000 NT bail. All of the civil servants admit to leaking data, but deny accepting bribes.