Shell Game: Is Hungary’s BAC Hiding Behind a Facade

Taiwan’s Golden Apollo Company Linked to Hezbollah Beeper Blast Case

Taiwan’s Golden Apollo Company, which was involved in the Hezbollah beeper blast case, said that the Hungarian BAC company manufactured the AR-924 beeper. However, foreign media reported that BAC appears to be a shell company.

Pagers used by Lebanon’s Hezbollah fighters and medical workers exploded simultaneously across the country, killing at least 9 people and injuring nearly 3,000. Reuters analyzed images related to the destroyed pagers and noted the layout of the sticker on the back, which is similar to products from Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese pager manufacturer.

Golden Apollo issued a statement saying that the pager model AR-924 is sold by BAC CONSULTING KFT under the brand name, but the product design and manufacturing is all handled by BAC.

Foreign media reported that the BAC company is located in the suburbs of Budapest, where most of the houses are residential. A photocopied paper with the name of the BAC company was found taped to a building, giving the appearance of a shell company.

Golden Apollo Chairman Xu Qingguang did not respond to requests for comment as he left the company. When asked about the BAC company and its involvement in the beeper blast case, Xu simply stated that there were no new messages today.

The New Taipei City Government Economic Development Bureau stated that Golden Apollo Co., Ltd. is a legally registered factory with a registered capital of NT$100 million. The company is involved in the production of computers, electronic products, and optical products, including communication equipment, measurement, navigation, control equipment, and watches.

Company Information

Golden Apollo Co., Ltd. is located in Xizhi District and was established in 1995. The company has legal factory registration and no record of any relevant violations.