Taipei:Prosecutors have requested an 18-month prison sentence for private investigator Cheng Yung-chin, accused of receiving NT$360,000 (US$11,299) from two Hong Kong residents to conduct surveillance on Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Puma Shen in 2024.

According to Focus Taiwan, Cheng, along with fellow investigator Hsieh Yi-chen and two others, was charged with illegally collecting and using personal data under the Personal Data Protection Act. The surveillance was allegedly commissioned by Hong Kong residents Kuk Kok Yin and Lam Hing on September 5, 2024. Cheng was reportedly paid HK$99,950.09 (NT$360,000) for the task, which he then subcontracted to Hsieh for NT$180,000. Hsieh assigned the surveillance to his employees, Chiang Wen-hsin and Hou Kai-han.

The surveillance operation faced initial challenges due to Shen's bodyguards. Hsieh's team proposed placing a scooter equipped with a miniature camera outside Shen's residence, a tactic approved by Cheng. This device captured footage of Shen and his family continuously from October 1 to November 8, 2024, which was then sent to Cheng and forwarded to Kuk via Telegram.

During this period, Kuk and Lam reportedly entered Taiwan multiple times for the assignment. As they have since left Taiwan, prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for them on similar charges under the Personal Data Protection Act.

The operation came to light when Shen's bodyguards grew suspicious of a scooter parked outside his residence for an extended time and reported the case to Taipei's Da'an Precinct. Prosecutors highlighted that Cheng minimized his involvement during questioning and showed no remorse, supporting the call for a harsher sentence.

In contrast, Hsieh, Chiang, and Hou admitted to their roles and expressed remorse, acknowledging their violation of Shen's privacy and seeking an opportunity to apologize. Prosecutors recommended the court impose suitable sentences for the three.

Puma Shen, who became a DPP legislator-at-large in January 2024, is known for his contributions to Taiwan's civil defense through Kuma Academy. His activities led to his designation as a "die-hard Taiwan independence" separatist by China's Taiwan Affairs Office in October 2024.