The Story of a Foreign Investor Betrayed in Taiwan
I write this today as someone who once loved Taiwan deeply—a country I trusted, invested in, and made my home for over a decade. My story is not just one of personal suffering, but a glaring indictment of a system that has failed me, a foreigner, in ways that are both shocking and shameful.
Four years ago, I unknowingly walked into a landlord scam that would ultimately destroy my livelihood and force me to flee Taiwan under threat of imprisonment. The facts are simple: I rented a property in Taichung where the landlord blatantly violated the terms of the contract—failing to provide basic safety measures, such as a locking door and a functioning metal gate. When I tried to hold them accountable, they used the judicial system as a weapon to silence me.
Out of frustration and fear for my safety, I briefly shared the rental contract online (for two days)—a desperate attempt to document their violations. I removed it immediately upon their threats and apologized profusely, thinking that would be the end of it. But no. That moment became the tool they would wield against me relentlessly.
Despite overwhelming evidence—videos, five witnesses, and undeniable contractual breaches—the courts ignored my defense. I lacked the resources for a lawyer, but I believed the truth would prevail. I was wrong. The legal system dismissed everything that might have supported me, clinging instead to the brief sharing of the contract as my unforgivable crime. Legal Aid turned me away five times, citing "no new evidence," as though four years of trauma could produce something new.
This was not justice. This was systematic bias. I was treated not as a person but as a foreigner—a scapegoat to be punished, humiliated, and silenced. The judges' refusal to engage with my evidence and my truth reeks of racism and corruption, plain and simple.
I invested $200,000 into that property and paid $28,000 a month in rent—despite the landlord's clear violations. My life savings were drained. I borrowed money to survive. I stood in court, unrepresented, begging for fairness from a system that seemed hell-bent on destroying me. In the end, I was given a choice: leave Taiwan or face six months in jail for breaking a law that no reasonable person would interpret as criminal.
Is this how Taiwan treats its foreign investors and educators—those who come with hope, respect, and love for the country? I poured my heart into teaching English effectively, something the system itself seemed to resent. If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. Taiwan’s judiciary and public must recognize that foreigners are human too—deserving of fairness, respect, and justice.
For four years, I held on to hope that Taiwan would do the right thing. I was wrong. Now, I ask you to help me bring light to this shameful ordeal. Let the public know what has happened to me. This is not just my fight—it is a fight against a broken system that must be reformed so that no one else suffers as I have.
The full story, including videos and documents, can be seen here: iLearn.tw/landlord.
To those who care about justice and fairness, I urge you to stand up. Speak out, protest, write, and demand change. Taiwan deserves better. We all deserve better.
Thank you for reading and for caring.
Sincerely,
Ross Cline
The Lack of Protection and Judicial Misuse: A Call for Reform
My experience in Taiwan has exposed troubling gaps in the judicial system, where safeguards against legal misuse seem nonexistent. The repeated filing of baseless legal actions against me—over a minor issue resolved years ago—underscores this failure.
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Defamation Without Evidence
The individual pursuing legal action has no proof of harm caused by the brief publication of information four years ago. The content was removed, and an apology issued immediately. Why is this case still open? -
Abuse of Legal Process
Three separate criminal cases have been filed over this minor issue, suggesting a pattern of harassment. The judiciary should recognize and address such abuse. -
Psychological Harm or Harassment?
Even if claims of psychological harm are made, is that sufficient to justify years of relentless legal actions? At some point, the system must intervene to prevent its misuse. -
System Integrity
Allowing baseless cases like mine to proceed unchecked undermines the integrity of the judiciary. If the system can be weaponized for personal vendettas, what does this say about its fairness?
This isn’t just a personal grievance; it’s a call for reform. When the judicial system enables intimidation instead of justice, it fails its purpose. Taiwan’s courts must address such blatant misuse to restore trust and uphold the principles of fairness and accountability.
