Arrest warrant issued for OnePlus founder: Taiwan accuses Pete Lau of illegal recruitment

According to recent media reports and documents from the Shilin State Prosecutor's Office, the arrest warrant and charges against two Taiwanese executives date back to November 2025, but were only made public on Tuesday. At its core is the allegation that OnePlus allegedly circumvented national security laws for years, laws that prohibit Chinese companies from investing and recruiting in Taiwan without authorization.

Face-to-face meetings and the shell company "Sonar"

The investigation reveals a calculated approach: Pete Lau is alleged to have traveled to Taiwan in person at the end of 2014 to discuss setting up a team with a local manager. A branch office was then established in 2015. To cover its tracks, the company was renamed "Sonar" (Hong Kong Sonar Consultant Co., Ltd.) in May 2019.

Between 2015 and 2021, more than 2.3 billion Taiwanese dollars (equivalent to around $82 million) flowed into Taiwan through this arrangement. To legitimize the payments, they were routed through an intermediary company called "Hong Kong Dasheng International Trading Company" and declared as income from research contracts. In fact, according to the judiciary, they were used solely to finance salaries and equipment.

Software exclusively for Oppo and OnePlus

Witness statements confirm that the Taiwanese "Sonar" branch did not have its own customers. The recruited engineers developed software exclusively for OnePlus and the Oppo brand. Administrative reports on attendance and finances went directly to the group headquarters in Shenzhen, China.

The two Taiwanese managers charged have attempted to downplay their responsibility, with the official managing director stating that she had merely acted as a front for tax matters. The R&D director stressed that all strategic decisions had been made solely by Pete Lau.

Background: Safeguarding domestic tech in Taiwan

The case marks a turning point in Taiwan's offensive to protect its domestic tech industry. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's goverment is taking rigorous action against Chinese companies that attempt to poach talent from the semiconductor and technology sector through indirect means. In an initial statement, OnePlus merely declared that business operations would continue as normal.