A high-ranking executive of the Cambodia-based Prince Group, linked to scams and kidnappings targeting South Koreans, has been arrested in Japan. The Prince Group is identified as a Chinese criminal organization operating large-scale online fraud schemes, including the 'Prince Complex' and 'Mango Complex' in Cambodia. Concerns have been raised about how this Southeast Asian crime network may have utilized its Japanese operations and residency status, following the individual being placed on sanctions lists by the U.S., U.K., and South Korea.
Asahi Shimbun reported on June 22 that a suspect identified as Hu Shi, 44, believed to be a senior executive of the Prince Group, was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. Hu, a Chinese national with Cypriot citizenship, is accused of falsely registering his address in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, despite not having moved there in April. He reportedly told police, "I changed my registered address to Tokyo to obtain permanent residency in Japan. I entrusted it to an agent and do not know the details."
According to Asahi, Japanese police tracked Hu after receiving information about his activities in Japan. They identified him through security camera footage while searching multiple luxury hotels in Osaka and subsequently arrested him in the city. The police also arrested two Chinese nationals who allegedly assisted Hu in making the false address registration and have seized smartphones for analysis.
Japanese authorities believe Hu is the same individual listed as 'Chen Xiaoer' on the Prince Group's sanctions list. In October of last year, the U.S. Treasury and Justice Departments designated 146 individuals and entities, including the Prince Group, for engaging in international online fraud schemes based in Cambodia. U.S. authorities have classified the Prince Group as "one of the largest criminal organizations in Asia" and have initiated procedures to seize approximately 2 trillion yen (about $19 billion) in cryptocurrency assets.
The Prince Group's operations have extended to Japan. According to the U.S. Treasury, the group has been active in over 30 countries and regions, establishing subsidiaries in Japan. In 2023, it joined the Japan-Cambodia Association as a corporate member and sponsored events commemorating the 70th anniversary of friendship between the two countries. While operating fraud schemes in Cambodia, the organization appeared to support friendly events in Japan under the guise of a legitimate business.
Founded by Chen Zhi from Fujian Province, China, the Prince Group is a conglomerate based in Cambodia, focusing on real estate development, shopping malls, hotels, casinos, and banking. However, it has been accused of setting up call center-style fraud operations across Cambodia, involving foreign nationals in telephone and internet scams. Asahi reported that the 'Mango Complex' fraud site in the outskirts of Phnom Penh had about ten buildings the size of school facilities, with thousands of foreign nationals likely involved in internet and telephone scams at its peak.
Evidence has emerged that Hu operated a company in Japan. A review of registration documents by Asahi revealed that Hu was the representative director of a company established in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, in April 2023 for trade purposes. The company's capital increased from 8 million yen at its founding to 50 million yen by March of this year, and its address was moved to Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, in April of last year. Initially, Hu listed a southern London address when the company was founded, but later changed it to locations in Minato Ward, Osaka Prefecture, and Chuo Ward, Tokyo.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun also reported that three individuals, including Hu, were arrested from June 14 to 17 on charges of making false address registrations. Nikkei noted that Hu likely held a representative position in a company within Tokyo and may have repeatedly entered and exited Japan. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police are carefully investigating his activities in Japan.
The Prince Group is also linked to incidents involving South Korean victims. The South Korean government designated 15 individuals, including Chairman Chen Zhi, and 132 entities associated with the Prince Group as independent sanctions targets in November of last year as part of efforts to combat online organized crime in Southeast Asia. The sanctions included individuals and entities involved in the operation of the 'Prince Complex' and 'Mango Complex,' where many South Koreans were reportedly kidnapped. The South Korean government described these sanctions as targeting a transnational online criminal organization.
In January of this year, Cambodian authorities detained Chairman Chen Zhi at China's request, revoked his Cambodian nationality, and extradited him to China. Following U.S. sanctions, the Prince Group has reportedly removed signs from its headquarters and major sites in Cambodia. With the arrest of a high-ranking executive in Japan, Japanese police are now investigating the group's corporate activities and residency acquisition processes within the country.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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