Taipei seizes nearly US$150M in assets linked to Prince Group alleged scam network

Taipei prosecutors announced on 4 November 2025 that they had detained 25 individuals and seized T$4.5 billion (US$147.09 million) in assets connected to the Prince Group, a multinational network accused of large-scale scam operations.

According to the prosecutors’ statement, the confiscated assets include 26 luxury vehicles, properties, and bank accounts linked to the network and to Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi.

The charges involve money laundering and forced labour offences.

Authorities allege that the Prince Group established forced-labour scam compounds in Cambodia, from which it conducted extensive investment fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, and online gambling operations.

The fraudulent proceeds were reportedly channelled through shell companies in multiple countries and laundered via the purchase of luxury goods and real estate to conceal their origins.

This operation marks one of Taiwan’s largest anti-fraud crackdowns to date, targeting transnational syndicates exploiting workers under coercive conditions.

Last month, Singapore police seized more than S$150 million (US$115.90 million) in assets also tied to the Prince Group.

These seizures in Singapore and Taiwan followed sanctions imposed by Britain and the United States against the group for running scam centres across Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia and Myanmar.

According to international law enforcement agencies, these scam centres often rely on trafficked workers who are deceived with false job offers and later forced to participate in online fraud targeting victims worldwide.

Taiwanese officials have previously expressed concern that some of its nationals were lured to Cambodia and Myanmar under the pretext of legitimate employment, only to find themselves trapped in abusive working conditions within scam compounds.

The latest seizures are part of a growing regional effort to dismantle transnational criminal networks operating under the guise of investment and entertainment businesses in Southeast Asia.

Investigations remain ongoing, and authorities said further asset freezes and arrests could follow as international cooperation intensifies.