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The assets worth millions of dollars of Chen Ze, a mysterious Cambodian businessman, have been seized by prosecutors in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The action follows allegations by the United States that Mr. Ze, the founder of Cambodia’s Prince Holding Group, allegedly leads a vast global cyber-scam syndicate.
The investigation began after US prosecutors charged Mr Xi with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in an indictment unsealed on October 14.
This coincides with a significant seizure of crypto assets by US authorities, reportedly including approximately $14 billion in Bitcoin.
Both the US and UK governments have also imposed joint sanctions against Mr Xi, his associates and his company. The alleged criminal network operating under Prince Holding Group is accused of defrauding 250 victims in the US.
The case highlights growing international concern over scam networks based in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines.
The United Nations estimates that these operations make billions of dollars annually from victims around the world through a variety of schemes ranging from fake investments to romance scams.
Prince Holding Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The growing list of asset freezes reveals a man with assets worth millions of dollars spread across multiple jurisdictions.
Singapore launched an investigation on October 30 after announcing the seizure of more than S$150 million ($114 million) of financial assets belonging to the chain, as well as a yacht and liquor stores.
On Tuesday, Taiwanese prosecutors seized $150 million in assets from Chen Zi while detaining 25 suspects.
Prosecutors said it included 26 luxury cars, including a Ferrari, Bugatti and Porsche, as well as 11 apartments in an upscale building in Taipei. Taiwanese media identified it as the same building where celebrity and Mandarin pop superstar Jay Chou lives.
The same day in Hong Kong, police announced the seizure of assets worth $2.75 billion Hong Kong dollars ($353 million), composed mostly of cash, stocks and other funds, which local media identified as belonging to Chen Zi.
UK authorities announced on October 14 the seizure of a 12 million pound ($15.6 million) mansion and a 100 million pound ($130 million) office building in north London.
Chen is a Chinese citizen who obtained Cambodian citizenship and a position among the Cambodian elite. The Prince owns several businesses, runs a bank and invests in real estate in the country.
However, prosecutors say the bulk of his wealth came from scams. According to the US indictment, Chen once bragged that the so-called “pig slaughter” scam was earning $30 million a day.
Chen has served as an advisor to Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, former Prime Minister that senAnd he was awarded the title of “Neek Oknha” – equivalent to an English lord.
Cambodian government information minister Phektra Neth said she had no comment in response to AP’s questions.