TAIPEI (Reuters): Taipei prosecutors said on Tuesday they had detained 25 people and seized T$4.5 billion (US$147.09 million) in assets tied to the Prince Group, a multinational network accused of running vast scam-centre operations.
The assets include 26 high-end cars, properties as well as bank accounts, tied to the network and the Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi in relation to money laundering and forced labour offences, the prosecutors said in a statement.
"Through forced-labour scam compounds set up across Cambodia, the group has carried out large-scale investment fraud involving cryptocurrencies and online gambling," they said.
"The proceeds of these scams were transferred through shell companies established by the Prince Group in multiple countries and laundered by purchasing luxury goods and real estate, thereby concealing the criminal gains."
Reuters was not able to reach Chen or a representative for comment.
Last month, Singapore police seized more than S$150 million ($115.90 million) in assets tied to the Prince Group.
The seizures in Singapore and Taiwan came after Britain and the U.S. sanctioned the Southeast Asia-based network, which has been accused of operating large-scale online "scam centres" that used trafficked workers to defraud victims across the globe.
Taiwan has said some of its citizens have ended up being tricked into going to Cambodia and Myanmar to work in the fraud centres. ($1 = 30.5930 Taiwan dollars)
($1 = 1.2942 Singapore dollars) (Reporting by Ben Blanchard Editing by Gareth Jones) - Reuters
