TAIPEI: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is actively searching for a 27-year-old Taiwanese man reported to be held hostage in Southeast Asia. The traveler, surnamed Hsieh, was last heard from on December 25, when he contacted his family asking for a substantial ransom, claiming he was being forced to engage in telecommunications fraud.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Taoyuan police have been involved in the case, revealing that Hsieh's last known location was traced to Myanmar through phone data. Hsieh's family promptly reported him missing to Taiwan's representative office in Myanmar on December 27, prompting MOFA to take action. The ministry has stated that efforts are underway to locate Hsieh using all available channels, utilizing the contact information and last known location data provided by his family.

Hsieh, a professional fire dancer, has been listed as a major criminal case by the police. Authorities have issued a warning to Taiwanese nationals traveling to Southeast Asia, urging them to exercise heightened caution. This advisory comes amid a growing number of incidents involving individuals being coerced into working for criminal organizations in the region, particularly in Myanmar.