Taiwanese prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, over allegations of orchestrating a clandestine recruitment scheme to poach high-tech talent.
Authorities in the Shilin District Prosecutors Office claim that Lau conspired to illegally hire more than 70 local engineers over the past decade by using an unapproved Hong Kong shell company to mask mainland Chinese business operations.
The move violates the Cross-Strait Act, which mandates explicit government permission for Chinese firms to recruit in Taiwan.
While two Taiwanese associates have already been indicted for their roles in the operation, the warrant for Lau marks a significant escalation in Taipei’s efforts to protect its semiconductor and software engineering sectors from foreign corporate encroachment.
Deceptive Recruitment
The investigation suggests that the illegal operation began as early as 2015, when OnePlus allegedly established a branch in Taiwan under a completely different name to evade regulatory scrutiny.
By funneling millions of dollars through shell entities, the company successfully built a dedicated engineering team focused on smartphone software verification and testing for OnePlus devices.
Prosecutors argue that this elaborate corporate structure was intentionally designed to bypass the strict national security and labor screenings imposed on mainland-linked entities.
This case highlights the lengths to which global tech firms may go to secure Taiwan’s world-class engineering expertise, which is increasingly viewed as a vital national asset by the island’s administration.
Strategic Crackdown
According to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office, Pete Lau oversaw the operation that quietly “scooped up” local talent without following mandatory legal channels. This warrant is part of a broader, aggressive campaign by Taiwanese authorities to deter what they describe as “talent poaching” by Chinese technology giants.
In August 2025, investigations were launched into 16 other Chinese firms for similar activities, following a prior warrant issued for the chair of Apple supplier Luxshare.
Although OnePlus has stated that its business operations continue as usual, the indictment of two local facilitators underscores the legal risks faced by those assisting foreign firms in circumventing local employment laws to gain a competitive technological edge.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that innovation should never come at the cost of legal transparency or national integrity. While the global technology sector thrives on the free exchange of ideas and talent, the use of shell companies and covert recruitment undermines the trust necessary for international cooperation.
Such practices not only place local professionals in legal jeopardy but also foster an atmosphere of suspicion rather than healthy competition. We advocate for a business landscape built on harmony, dialogue, and respect for local regulations.
When corporate giants choose deception over open engagement, they compromise the ethical standards that should guide our digital future. It is essential for global leaders to foster growth through legitimate partnerships that benefit both the industry and the local workforce.
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