Thailand is currently intensifying its crackdown on transnational online fraud, but online photos have surfaced showing the main suspect involved in fraud and money laundering, Moberg, with Prime Minister Anutin and other political and military figures, sparking controversy. In response, Anutin admitted on the 4th that he knows the controversial South African businessman Moberg, but emphasized that they are merely acquaintances and have no business dealings.
According to the Nation, Thai Prime Minister Anutin admitted that he knows Moberg (Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith), but insists their relationship is not close and that there are no business connections.
Anutin stated that the photo in question was taken in 2014 at a dinner in Singapore, attended by other political figures as well, and that he only had a brief conversation with Mauerberger at the time. He added that the two had run into each other at social events five or six times since, but were no more than acquaintances.
When asked by reporters about his relationship with Moberg, Anutin replied, “Let’s put it this way: he is a friend of a friend.”
Anutin said the photo was taken in Singapore in 2014 when the two met at an informal meeting. He stressed that he has no personal relationship with Moberg, nor has he had any recent contact.
The photo of Anutin and Moberg recently started circulating online and quickly went viral on social media. A Member of Parliament from the People's Party remarked that these photos have raised doubts regarding the Anutin government’s determination to crack down on fraud.
Previously, Thailand had just seized assets worth more than $300 million related to operators of Southeast Asian scam centers, targeting individuals including Prince Group founder Chen Zhi and Cambodian businessman Phu Kok An.
According to the Bangkok Post, Moberg, who was born in South Africa, has long been the subject of investigations by two former reporters from the Wall Street Journal. He is alleged to have laundered money for several large scam syndicates in Thailand and Cambodia.
The two journalists once published online reports describing how Moberg allegedly leveraged his connections with high-level business and political elites in Thailand and Cambodia to build a “shadow empire” estimated to be worth about $1.5 billion.
The report states that after marrying a former Thai model, Moberg used his financial consultant identity to blend seamlessly into Thailand’s upper class. It is reported that Moberg left Thailand in September and is currently in Dubai.