A reputed former leader of the Bamboo Union crime brotherhood,[1] Chang fled Taiwan in 1996 after being placed on
the wanted list by authorities in Taipei for involvement in organised crime,[2] leading him to live in exile
in Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.[3][4][5] Chang is credited with giving the Bamboo Union a political mission and
a touch of romantic character which has made it more appealing to gain members from rival criminal gangs.[6]
During his time in China, the Chinese Unity Promotion Party was founded in 2004. He then started a Taiwan-based
branch of the party in 2005.[7] He returned to Taiwan in June 2013 and was arrested by Taiwanese police on arrival
at Songshan Airport and released on bail.[4] President Ma Ying-jeou received criticism for his lax treatment of Chang.[5]
Upon his return to Taiwan, Chang opened a campaign headquarters affiliated with the "Chinese Unification
Promotion Party" in downtown Tainan in order to prepare for elections in 2016.[8]
Following a police raid of one of the party's headquarters in November 2013, police stated their concerns about the
political party's links to organized crime to the press.[9] Police alleged that the political party was being used as a front
for membership in the Bamboo Union gang in New Taipei City; police also allege that illegal firearms had been
trafficked and used in racketeering and turf war by the Yeh Shih branch (named after historical figure Ye Shi).
In 2013, his party claims that it has a membership of 20,000 persons, and 75 branch-offices (or headquarters).[10]
In August 2019 Chang was arrested by Taiwanese police and prosecutors charged him and five party workers with
taking illicit political donations, embezzlement, and tax evasion.[11]
Aman Futures was reported as a pyramid scheme in 2012 by the National Bureau of Investigation of the Philippines
that duped some 15,000 people in Mindanao and the Visayas of P12 billion (US$295,000,000 est.).[4] Authorities from
the Philippines have set a manhunt for Manuel K. Amalilio, the founder of the company who left the Philippines
for Sabah, Malaysia.[2] The "double-your-money" was a phrase being pitched to join the network. NBI has said that
there is about 8,000 complaints filed against the company and over 100,000 Filipino families were victimized.[5][6] Irate
victims of Aman Futures have ransacked an office rented by the company in Pagadian City.[7]
After the manhunt for the brain behind the scam was launched, two of the company's employees surrendered. Maria
Donna Coyme, who is reportedly the chief finance officer of Aman Futures; and Jacob Razuman, one of the firm’s top
brokers, are currently being investigated for their role in the scam said the National Bureau of Investigation and
the Philippine National Police.[8]
Twenty one Filipino police officers and two fire officers filed syndicated estafa complaint against the company. They
said they were promised a return of their investment within eight days and a 50-80% profit for 17 to 20 days.[9]
The Malacañang Palace has assured that the victims of Aman Futures should not take matters of their own, as
authorities are doing their work to put to jail those responsible for the pyramid scam that duped thousands in the
Visayas and Mindanao area.[3]
Gunmen related to the 14 December 2012 gunshot in Zamboanga City were possible employees from Aman Futures.
Investigators said it was possible that the attack may be linked to the Aman Futures that is known to have victimized
thousands, including many policemen.[10]
In 2013, the founder of Aman Futures, Manuel K. Amalilio, was caught in Malaysia after pleading guilty to charges of
holding false travel documents.[11] He was then supposed to be deported to Manila on Friday, 25 January at estimated
time of 19:45 PST to be jailed the NBI said.[12] However, the Malaysian authorities stopped Amalilio's deportation and
was sentenced a two-year imprisonment in Malaysia.[13][14][15][16] Some of the members of the Malaysian opposition in
the Philippines disagreed in the Malaysian authorities' stopping of Amalilio's deportation during an interview at ANC.
They also have questioned the jail sentence handed down to him in Malaysia.[17] In 2014, Manuel was freed from
Malaysian prison following a representation to the court by his family. The Malaysian Department of Foreign Affairs
then declined the Philippines' request for extradition.[18]
