Taipei, Taiwan — March 2026
A Taipei court has sentenced a man to six months in prison for illegally posing as a licensed physician and performing a cosmetic procedure that resulted in injury to a female patient.
According to the investigation, the suspect, identified as Yang Jialun, carried out the incident on August 8, 2024. Despite lacking a valid medical license, Yang coordinated with a friend to rent a dermatology treatment room inside Caiteng Clinic. He then falsely presented himself as a qualified doctor affiliated with the clinic.
The victim, a woman surnamed Zhuang, visited the facility and was led to believe that Yang was a legitimate medical professional. Trusting his misrepresentation, she agreed to undergo a facial injection of botulinum toxin for a fee of NT$9,999.
During the procedure, Yang negligently administered the injection near the left side of the patient’s mouth. The mistake caused significant bleeding and resulted in noticeable facial asymmetry. Following the incident, the victim filed a complaint with authorities.
Prosecutors charged Yang with violations of the Medical Practitioners Act, fraud, and negligent injury.
In its ruling, the Taipei District Court stated that Yang knowingly engaged in unauthorized medical practice for financial gain, thereby endangering patient safety and undermining the integrity of the healthcare system. The court emphasized the seriousness of his actions, noting the physical harm caused to the victim.
However, the court also considered mitigating factors, including Yang’s lack of prior criminal record, his written expression of remorse, the return of his illegal earnings, and his payment of NT$60,000 in compensation to the victim during trial.
Based on these considerations, Yang was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, which may be commuted to a fine of NT$180,000. He was also granted a two-year probation period.