Amid an ongoing crackdown on scam networks, the administration of Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has come under criticism following the leak of a photo showing the PM and one of his cabinet members standing next to a South African businessman linked to scams.

On Tuesday (2 December), the Thai Anti-Money Laundering Office reportedly revealed that it had seized over 10 billion baht in assets from scam syndicates linked to Chinese-born Cambodian tycoon Chen Zhi, who heads US-sanctioned Prince Group, and a Cambodian senator Kok An.

The operation was carried out in a bid to dismantle lucrative scam networks operating in the region.

According to the authorities, arrest warrants have been issued for approximately 42 people, including the president of BIC Group Yim Leak and his Thai wife.  Some 29 suspects are reportedly already in custody.

In 2021, over 700 people have fallen victim to multiple types of scams involving online shopping, gambling, employment opportunities, and fraudulent loan applications.

An investigation found that the mule account of a Thai national, was used by Yim Leak and an influential political figure in Cambodia and Thailand, Benjamin Mauerberger, to launder over 15 billion baht between 2017-2023. An arrest warrant for Mauerberger has reportedly yet to be issued, but related transactions have been detected and are under investigation.

Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith, is allegedly involved in transnational scam network operations. He recently drew attention from the general public after a photo of him standing with Deputy PM Thammanat Prompao and former PM Thaksin Shinawatra was released by a prominent investigative journalist Tom Wright, who exposed a notorious 1MDB scandal.

Mauerberger is known to be close to a number of Thai politicians.

A day after the crackdown was announced, another photo, taken in Singapore 11 years ago, was leaked. In it, Mauerberger can be seen standing next to several high profile figures including PM Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, former deputy director of the Crown Property Bureau Apirak Kongsompong, former senator Upakit Pachariyangkun, and former Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police Visanu Prasarttongosoth.

Anutin acknowledged that he knew Mauerberger, but insisted that they was not close, adding that Mauerberger was simply ‘a friend of a friend’. Meanwhile, others also insisted that Mauerberger was nothing more than an acquaintance.

After the latest photo was leaked, People’s Party MP Rangsiman Rome noted this might be an answer to the question of why nobody has ever dared to touch Mauerberger. He also raised concerns that the seizure of assets was solely to reduce pressure from the public. Previously, the MP urged the PM to dismiss Thammanat from his position due to alleged links to scam networks, but the PM seemed hesitant to do so. 

Mauerberger and Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas 

(Photo from FB Chana Phasuksakul)

(Photo from FB Chana Phasuksakul)