Technology, AI & Cyber
Nvidia employee among seven held in Taiwan over alleged AI chip smuggling to China
Seven people are being held in Taiwan over the alleged use of forged documents to send Nvidia artificial intelligence chips to China, including an Nvidia employee detained after searches of his home and workplace, a source familiar with the investigation told AFP.
The investigation concerns accusations that forged documents were used to ship about 50 servers made by Super Micro to China. Some were cleared by Taiwanese customs and transported through Japan, an official previously told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The Keelung District Prosecutors Office said investigators searched a man’s home and workplace on July 24 before taking him into custody. Its statement did not identify Nvidia but said the suspect could face charges including falsifying business documents.
Prosecutors said he was detained because of the risk that he could flee, destroy evidence or coordinate with accomplices or witnesses.
A source familiar with the case told AFP that investigators identified the Nvidia employee while examining evidence collected during earlier searches involving Super Micro. Nvidia did not immediately respond.
Taiwanese officials said in May that they were investigating alleged shipments to China, Macau and Hong Kong of high-end AI servers made by Nasdaq-listed Super Micro Computer and containing advanced Nvidia chips.
US export controls restrict China’s access to the most advanced chips used to power artificial intelligence systems.
Taiwanese prosecutors have said it is too early to determine whether the investigation is connected to a separate Nvidia chip smuggling case involving Super Micro Computer employees in the United States and Singapore.
Singapore police this month seized a luxury bungalow worth more than US$40 million during fraud investigations linked to the alleged transfer of AI chips.
A US indictment unsealed in March alleged that Super Micro Computer employees generated billions of dollars by diverting Nvidia AI chips to China in violation of export controls.
Update
Seven people are now being held as part of the probe, including the Nvidia employee.
The detainees are accused of forging documents to ship roughly 50 Super Micro servers to China.
An official previously told AFP that some servers were cleared by Taiwan customs and sent to China through Japan.
Prosecutors said the detained person was considered a flight, evidence-destruction and collusion risk.
Nvidia had no immediate response.
Taiwanese prosecutors have said it is too early to know whether the case is linked to a separate Nvidia chip smuggling case involving Super Micro Computer employees in the United States and Singapore.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 July 2026 at 06:47:01 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The Keelung District Prosecutors Office statement did not name Nvidia, and the Nvidia link is attributed to a source familiar with the case.
The accusations of forged documents and chip diversion have not been presented as proven in the supplied material.
The source item says two detainees are from “Super Micron” while other details refer to Super Micro Computer; the exact affiliation wording is unclear.
Source
AFP news report published on .