TAIWAN: A Singaporean woman has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by a court in Taiwan for stalking and harassing Taiwanese singer Olivia Tsao.
The New Taipei District Court found Cassandra Low guilty of coercion and endangering Tsao’s personal safety, according to a judgment issued on 5 June.
The court established that Low had repeatedly stalked the 38-year-old singer, better known by her stage name Tsao Ya-wen, who primarily performs in Taiwanese Hokkien.
From Fan to Stalker
According to local reports, Low, who is around 30 years old, had been a fan of Tsao and had previously interacted with her online.
However, beginning in November 2023, Low started frequently sending emails and direct messages to Tsao on Facebook and Instagram.
These messages were unrelated to Tsao’s performances and often included persistent demands for replies.
When Tsao eventually blocked her on social media, Low escalated the harassment by posting threats and insults directed at Tsao, her family, and her agent.
Court documents revealed that Low even added Tsao and her parents to a Facebook group chat, accusing the singer of lying about unblocking her.
In one Facebook post, Low wrote: “I can be very aggressive. The more stubborn she is… don’t blame me for whatever I do to her parents.”
She also targeted Tsao’s agent, writing: “Blocking me, see how I slowly let her agent die.”
The threats were so severe that both Tsao and her agent felt compelled to leave their homes in New Taipei City.
The court documented numerous similar threats posted between November 2023 and January 2025.
Taiwanese media further reported that Low sent Tsao a direct Instagram message saying: “May you be hit and killed by a car,” leaving the singer afraid to go out alone.
As a precaution, Tsao hired security guards for protection.
Followed Tsao to Taiwan
Low’s extreme behaviour came to a head in February when she followed Tsao to Banqiao high-speed rail station after learning that her idol was planning to take a train.
At the station, Low grabbed Tsao’s luggage and the strap of her mobile phone in an attempt to force the singer to unblock her on social media, before she was taken away by local police for questioning.
Tsao’s manager told Shin Min Daily News that Tsao and Low had previously met once at a concert.
The manager also believed that Low knew where Tsao lived and speculated that she had been staying near Tsao’s residence in Banqiao district, waiting for an opportunity to confront her.
Court Sentencing
The court found that Low’s actions had caused significant psychological distress and fear for Tsao, while also damaging her reputation.
Low pleaded guilty to the offences.
She was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment or a commuted fine of NT$1,000 (around S$43) for each day of her jail term.
She will also be deported from Taiwan after serving her sentence or paying the fine.
Tsao’s lawyer told the court that Low earned a salary more than twice the average income in Taiwan, arguing that if her sentence were converted to a fine, it would not serve as an effective deterrent.
The lawyer therefore requested that the court impose a fixed jail term without the option of conversion.
However, the court noted that Low had pleaded guilty and expressed remorse during the trial, and deemed the punishment proportionate to the offence.
The judgment also took into account Low’s background as a university graduate with a position in Singapore’s public service, as well as her financial responsibility in supporting her family.
Tsao’s Response
Following the sentencing, Tsao shared a statement from her management on Instagram on 11 June, detailing the case and the court’s decision.
The statement emphasised the importance of respecting others’ personal boundaries, both online and offline.
View this post on Instagram
In a separate Instagram story on the same day, Tsao expressed relief and gratitude, describing the verdict as “the most comforting news in recent times.”
She had previously spoken publicly about feeling helpless and distressed due to harassment from fans, though she had not identified anyone by name until the case surfaced.
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