Thai authorities have launched one of the country’s largest crackdowns on transnational scam operations, targeting two notorious Cambodian scam kingpins and a South African fixer alleged to have deep ties with criminal networks across Southeast Asia. The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has ordered the seizure of assets in Thailand worth more than 10 billion baht, linking them to Chen Zhiu of Prince Holding Group, Cambodian tycoon Kok An, and alleged fixer Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith.
The sweeping investigation is part of a coordinated effort between AMLO and the Cybercrime Investigation Bureau (CIB). Authorities confirmed that the CIB is preparing to seek arrest warrants from the Criminal Court for over 40 individuals suspected of involvement in the networks. Among those facing warrants are Chen Zhi, Kok An, and Mauerberger—all currently believed to be outside Thailand.
In a press briefing issued yesterday, AMLO revealed that its investigators uncovered substantial evidence linking the Prince Holding Group to cybercrime activities in Cambodia and related money trails flowing into Thailand. The alleged criminal network, authorities say, is responsible for large-scale online scamming operations that funnel profits through Thai associates and assets.
As part of the probe, AMLO ordered the seizure of 102 assets connected to Prince Holding Group and its affiliates. These include land plots, luxury-brand goods, jewelry, and cash—collectively valued at roughly 373 million baht.
Another major figure named in the investigation is Kok An, owner of the Crown Casino in Poipet and reportedly a central player in multiple scam centres operating along the Cambodian border. According to AMLO, Kok An and his Thai partners have been deeply involved in money laundering linked to fraudulent schemes. The agency has seized 90 assets tied to him, worth about 467 million baht.
The third key suspect identified by AMLO is Taengthai Banmahing, who is accused of running business fraud involving product exports from Chiang Rai to China. Investigators say they traced money laundering activity through bank accounts belonging to a Cambodian national, Leak Yim, who is believed to have ties to Cambodian scam syndicates, as well as to Mauerberger.
In this segment of the investigation, AMLO ordered the seizure of 66 assets, including land, condominium units, and significant sums of money held in Thai bank accounts. The total estimated value of these seized items amounts to an extraordinary 9.28 billion baht.
Officials say the crackdown represents a critical step toward dismantling transnational crime operations that have used Thailand as a financial hub. AMLO emphasized that these networks have grown increasingly sophisticated, using layers of shell companies, intermediaries, and foreign operatives to obscure money trails.
Authorities are now working with international partners to track down the key suspects who remain outside Thailand, while the CIB moves forward on securing the remaining arrest warrants. The case marks a major escalation in Thailand’s fight against cross-border cybercrime and financial fraud.
