TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Authorities have reiterated the order for Salvador Alejandro Llinas Onate, a Spanish national, to leave Taiwan on Wednesday (Oct. 16). The National Immigration Agency (NIA, 移民署) announced that Onate, implicated in a major fraud case abroad, poses a potential threat to Taiwan's interests and public safety.
Onate has hidden in Taiwan for several years after allegedly committing a car rental scam in Italy. The NIA notified him last week to depart the country within a specified timeframe. On Monday (Oct. 14), the agency confirmed that Interpol had issued a red notice for Onate, which the Spanish representative office in Taipei verified, prompting a 10-day deadline for his departure.
Despite these developments, Onate claims he has no criminal record in Taiwan and plans to file an administrative appeal to extend his stay. The NIA stated that if Onate proceeds with the appeal, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI, 內政部) will decide the outcome. However, due to his involvement in significant crimes abroad, authorities remain firm on the decision for him to leave.
Onate established a company in Trento, Italy, several years ago and managed a branch of the Spanish car rental firm Autoclick, according to reports. He allegedly illegally resold over 1,180 vehicles, leading Spain to issue an international arrest warrant.