An Internet celebrity surnamed Dai (戴) was yesterday arrested by police in Taichung for allegedly “inciting others to break the law” following a public outcry over his stunts.
Dai, 24, recently uploaded a video of himself at unspecified Carrefour and PX Mart stores opening food packages and tasting a few items before placing the products back on the shelf.
Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers brought Dai, who uses the name “dai_james” (詹姆士) on Instagram, to the bureau’s office in Taipei for questioning.
Photo: Lu Yun-feng, Taipei Times
A 29-year-old man, surnamed Lai (賴), who allegedly filmed the stunts, was also arrested.
The duo are likely to face charges of breaching Article 153 of the Criminal Code for “inciting another to commit an offense ... or to violate the law,” bureau investigators said.
They could also be charged with fraud and causing damage to assets and properties belonging to another person, they said.
Dai allegedly said in the video that he was “teaching my fans ways to take food without having to pay.”
The video sparked public anger and condemnation, and the duo later removed the videos on Instagram. They also issued an apology and claimed they had paid for the items shown in the videos.
PX Mart and Carrefour have filed judicial complaints, prompting the bureau to arrest the duo.
Officials from the legal departments of the two companies said that they must take legal action to stop this kind of behavior, as well as ensure food safety and proper conduct at their stores.
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