Two Cambodian scam kingpins and fixer face arrest in Thailand, assets to be seized

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has ordered the seizure of ill-gotten assets in Thailand, worth more than 10 billion baht, allegedly linked to two scam kingpins in Cambodia, Chen Zhiu of the Prince Holding Group and Kok An, as well as an alleged South African fixer for Southeast Asian elites, Benjamin Mauerberger, aka ‘Ben Smith’ and several Thai associates.

The Cybercrime Investigation Bureau (CIB) is expected to seek Criminal Court warrants for the arrests of more than 40 individuals who are allegedly involved in the transnational scam networks, including Kok An, Chen Zhi and Ben Smith, who are not in Thailand.

In a press release, issued yesterday, AMLO claims that its investigators have found evidence of connections between Prince Holding Group, alleged to be a major cybercrime organization in Cambodia, and its networks in Thailand.

AMLO has identified and ordered the seizure of 102 assets, which include plots of land, brand name products, precious ornaments and cash estimated at about 373 million baht.

Regarding Kok An, who owns the Crown Casino in Poipet and allegedly operates several scam centres, AMLO alleges that he and his Thai associates have been involved in scam operations and money laundering. It decided to seize 90 assets, worth about 467 million baht.

The third major scam suspect identified by AMLO is Taengthai Banmahing, who is alleged to be involved in business fraud concerning the export of products from Chiang Rai province to China. AMLO claims that it has found evidence of money laundering related to the bank accounts of Leak Yim, a Cambodian nationals with connections to scam networks in Cambodia, and Mauerberger.

AMLO has order the seizure of 66 assets, including land, condominiums and cash in bank accounts worth a total of 9.28 billion baht.