The Tamesis
Thailand’s anti-money laundering office plans to seize assets totaling about 13 billion baht ($420 million), a large portion of which appears to be linked to fraud center operations in Cambodia.
Obrador officials said on Wednesday they would receive court orders to seize hundreds of assets, including land, apartments, vehicles, yachts, bank deposits and more because the suspects, some of whom are Cambodians and their associates in Thailand, could not prove the seized assets were obtained legally.
The agency said there were four major cases involving multiple suspects. One of them involved an alleged Fraudulent billionaire Chen ZhiHe was arrested in Cambodia last month and flown back to China.
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Obrador said It found information “suggesting that networks involved in cyber fraud, labor trafficking and money laundering through digital currencies are linked to Chen Zhi,” who is the founder and chairman of the Cambodian Prince Group.
As a result, his case file was sent to prosecutors asking the court to seize 96 assets, including land, cash and other items worth about 345 million baht ($11.1 million).
Another case involves Cambodian Senator Kok An, a casino tycoon known as “The Casino Tycoon.” “The Godfather of Poipet”and associates allegedly owned compounds in border towns and Sihanoukville, where the fraud was reportedly conducted.
These include asking prosecutors to apply to the court to seize 89 assets – land and money in bank accounts, totaling about 560 million baht (more than $18 million).
Gray money from Cambodia?
But most of the assets Obrador is trying to seize are related to cases involving Cambodian businessmen im likSouth African lobbyist and fixer Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith, and several associates.
Obrador claimed the money came from “defrauded victim,” and it had “information linking the case to Yim Leak. It also uncovered information on transactions related to Ben Smith that allegedly involved public fraud. “
Their case file was sent to prosecutors asking the court to “seize 68 assets (including land, condominium units, vehicles, a yacht and funds in bank accounts) worth approx. 12.123 billion baht” ($390 million).
Late last year, prominent investigative journalists based outside Thailand accused Molberg (Smith) of collaborating with Relationship with famous Thai politicians Events over the past decade or more have resulted in negative publicity for the Thai government and the resignation of a cabinet minister.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose party won the election last Sunday Now holding the most seats in the incoming government, he appears keen to dispel any doubts of a soft stance on “grey money” flowing into Thailand from neighboring countries, assuring the public that he is committed to justice and will Operation against fraudsters and transnational crime.
On Wednesday, he sought to make good on that promise, backing the anti-money laundering group’s statement that financial seizures would be brought to Thai courts.
Molberg, who is believed to be in Dubai, has denied any involvement in criminal activity. His accomplice’s whereabouts are unknown.
The fourth case, listed as I Aung Sura and his associates, involves a “fraud ring”.The hat allegedly convinced the public to invest in coin mining through LINE groups. ”
AMLO said this involved asking prosecutors to seize 31 assets (cash and funds in bank accounts) worth about 46 million baht ($1.48 million).
Obrador said that from a positive perspective “If there are victims in the crimes in these cases, it will collect evidence in accordance with the law and refer the matter to the prosecutor to ask the court to order that the money or assets in the case be returned or used to compensate the victims rather than being confiscated to the state.”
Cambodia’s “crackdown” continues
Meanwhile, the Cambodian government’s high-profile “crackdown” on fraud centers continues. it claims to have Raid nearly 200 fraudulent communities and hopes to eliminate all such establishments by April.
The government has been facing pressure from China, the United States and neighbors in Southeast and North Asia to end the country’s notorious activities.
Prime Minister Hun Mane vowed to “cut off the rotten flesh”, purge criminal officials and “drive evil out of Cambodia”. But few believe his father – Hun Sen, now Senate leader and still considered the country’s most powerful leader – would allow him to turn off the funding spigot.
More than 5,500 foreigners suspected of working in scam centers or being victims of human trafficking will be deported in 2025, with already this year Thousands more were arrested Hundreds of people have boarded planes to return to their home countries or are being repatriated.
Despite efforts by some ASEAN countries to bring their citizens home, hundreds of people are still living a difficult life on the streets of Phnom Penh and other provinces.
But foreign experts said they remained skeptical about the “persistence” of the “state law enforcement operations” and whether they would expand to target members of the state elite involved in such activities.
Jacob SimsA transnational crime analyst at Harvard University said lasting change requires meaningful elite accountability and appropriate protections for trafficking victims and evidence.
“These deficiencies make our response look more like a cover-up than a sustainable and effective effort to eliminate the industry,” Sims told reporters. CamboJA News. He worries that fraud networks will re-emerge once political and international pressure eases.
See also:
Thousands arrested, hundreds deported after Cambodia scam raids
Notorious Myanmar fraud mafia member executed in China
“Fraud billionaire” Chen Zhi arrested in Cambodia and flown to China
Countries seize US$700 million in Prince Group assets in pursuit of “fraudulent billionaire”
US targets multi-billion dollar fraud network in Myanmar and Cambodia
US, UK praised for fraud hub sanctioning and seizing $15 billion in Bitcoin
Cambodia’s fraud hub has tense relations with countries near and far
U.S. sanctions Cambodian Karen warlord’s money laundering ring
UN says Southeast Asian criminal networks rely on Telegram, cryptocurrencies
