The Thai Anti-Money Laundering Office held a press conference on the 3rd to announce that, in recent operations, they have seized assets exceeding 10 billion Thai baht (over RM1.291 billion) from multiple transnational scam syndicates.
This operation echoes recent measures by Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States in cracking down on scam organizations. In the past two months, Hong Kong and Singapore have frozen assets related to the Prince Group amounting to US$354 million (about RM1.459 billion) and US$116 million respectively. The United Kingdom has also frozen over US$130 million worth of business and real estate assets. In October last year, the United States indicted Chen Zhi for online fraud and money laundering, and seized around US$1.5 billion worth of bitcoin, allegedly criminal proceeds from the Prince Group.
Thai Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Anutin, the Thai National Police Chief, the Secretary General of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, and other officials attended the press conference, jointly announcing the results of recent joint operations against transnational scam activity, conducted by Thailand's Center for Combating Technology Crime and the Anti-Money Laundering Office.
Thai police seized assets from four transnational scam syndicates totaling more than 10.165 billion baht, including luxury cars, yachts, bank accounts, and land; the police have also issued arrest warrants for 42 suspects and apprehended 29 individuals, who have been charged with organized crime, fraud, and money laundering.
At the press conference, Prime Minister Anutin stated that the Thai government attaches great importance to such crimes, and will fully support relevant agencies in acting according to the law, without any exception or special favor for any group or individual, hoping the public will have confidence and trust in the government.
He pointed out that the confiscated assets are related to criminal gangs operating scam parks in Southeast Asia.
He said that the seized assets involve major suspects, including Chen Zhi, founder of Cambodia’s Prince Group, Cambodian Senator Fu Guoan (Phu Kok An), as well as two Thai citizens.
According to AFP, Thai authorities have seized around 100 assets in Thailand under Chen Zhi’s name, valued at 37.3 million baht, including land, jewelry, luxury goods, and cash.
Recently, the Thai government has placed high importance on combating cybercrime. Anutin had previously said that Thailand has elevated the fight against scams and cybercrime to “national agenda”, and would use every possible means to actively participate in international efforts to combat scam syndicates.