Thailand Seizes $318M in Assets, Issues 42 Arrest Warrants in Major Online Scam Crackdown
December 4, 2025
Thailand has seized assets worth over $318 million and issued arrest warrants for 42 people as part of a major crackdown on online scam networks, officials said on Wednesday. The operation targets Chinese-Cambodian tycoon Chen Zhi, head of the US-sanctioned Prince Group, and Cambodian nationals Kok An and Yim Leak. These individuals are linked to transnational online scams and human trafficking. "We have seized assets worth 10,157 million baht [$318m]," said Sophon Saraphat, deputy commissioner of the Thai Central Investigation Bureau. "Arrest warrants have been issued by the criminal court for 42 individuals. As of yesterday, 29 individuals have been arrested." Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) reported finding information connecting Chen and his associates to networks involved in online fraud, human trafficking, and money laundering. Chen faces US indictments for wire fraud and money laundering related to forced-labor scam compounds across Cambodia but denies wrongdoing. The seized assets include shares in Bangchak Corporation valued at 6 billion baht ($188 million), linked to Yim Leak. Bangchak said the issue involves an individual shareholder and promised full cooperation. Authorities also revealed that Kok An owns facilities in Cambodia used by a criminal group to operate scams and invest illicit money in Thailand. The crackdown follows previous asset freezes on Prince Group worth $354 million in Hong Kong and $116 million in Singapore. Cambodia’s government has not yet responded to Thailand’s allegations against Cambodian nationals.
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Tags:
Thailand
Prince Group
Online Fraud
Asset Seizure
Human trafficking
Bangchak Corporation
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