DILI (TOP) - On April 6, 2026, the international media The Guardian published an article titled: Private jets, deserted shores and an unbuilt resort: alleged links to sanctioned 'scam' empire revealed in Timor-Leste". This article mentions foreigners, including a gentleman named Frank Lin."
Frank Lin is a businessman based his business in Hong Kong, Japan, and several other countries. His business focuses primarily on information technology, including blockchain, and he has made investments in Asian countries, including Japan.
“I welcome him, just as I welcome any investor from countries across Asia and Europe. Lin first came to Timor-Leste around last year. To date, he has not made any investments in Timor-Leste. Like many investors, Lin arrived with ideas, plans, and dreams of making significant investments in Timor-Leste, though these have not yet materialized,” President Horta said in a press release on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
“However, Lin has become aware of my humanitarian activities, which seek daily support for the poor, families, communities, and students. In response, he has begun providing support, including laptops, sports equipment, clothing, and a substantial donation toward scholarships,” President Horta clarified.
President Horta considered, the articles published do not provide any factual evidence that Lin is linked to organized crime in Asian. “So far, we are reading only allegations, no hard evidence”.
Timor-Leste seeks to attract investors. We cannot make baseless allegations against people simply because they come from Asia, as if everyone from Asian Countries is linked to organized crime. That is a serious mistake. Lin has done nothing wrong in Timor-Leste. It is the government that will decide whether to accept any investment, and if that investment is good for Timor-Leste, then the government will decide accordingly.
Over the years, I have consistently spoken out about the treat of organized crime. In Timor-Leste itself, our own people are not involved in organized crime. However, as a fragile country, we remain vulnerable to threats and infiltration by foreign organized crime. The incident that occurred in Oé-Cusse Ambeno a few months ago was met with swift government intervention to shut it down. The government has also closed illegal gaming operations in Dili. Currently, I do not see any organized crime installed in Timor-Leste.
Frank Lin does not reside in Timor-Leste; he lives in Hong Kong and Japan.
Together with the government and our entire society, we remain alert to the dangers of organized crime. But I cannot accept information that comes merely from media reports or from certain individuals in Timor-Leste — people who may wish evil upon the country or seek to tarnish the name of Timor-Leste, they are the ones produce false information against those who wish to invest in Timor-Leste."
As I previously told The Guardian:
"We must be unforgiving and ruthless against organized crime. I lost brothers and sister in the fight for independence and so many Timorese died for this country to be free. I don't want this country to be overrun by criminals."
I will continue to welcome investors who wish to come. I will continue to speak with everyone. However, if any evidence emerges that convinces me that an investor is part of organized crime, the government and I will stop them without hesitation.
Unsubstantiated allegations made without evidence against any individual will not be accepted. Timor-Leste is open for legitimate investment, and we will remain vigilant.
