Hong Kong court freezes HK$9 billion in assets and properties tied to Chen Zhi
Detained Chinese-born Cambodian businessman is accused of running sprawling online scam network from Southeast Asia
A Hong Kong court has ordered the freezing of properties and assets worth more than HK$9 billion (US$1.15 billion) held by detained Chinese-born Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi and companies and individuals tied to him, the South China Morning Post has learned.
The Hong Kong court order prohibits 42 respondents, including Chen, three suspected associates and 38 companies, from dealing with their properties in or outside Hong Kong.
Chen had assets of about HK$6.36 billion frozen, including a commercial building on Kimberley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui valued at HK$3 billion and a luxury mansion on The Peak worth HK$1 billion.
His remaining frozen assets covered his personal bank accounts, as well as bank accounts and securities held through 17 companies but subject to his control.
Among the companies, Prince Global Holdings, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, accounted for the largest amount of the frozen funds, at more than HK$1.6 billion.
Chen is in custody after being extradited from Cambodia to China in January. He is accused of various crimes, including opening a casino, fraud, illegal operations and concealing criminal proceeds, according to China’s Ministry of Public Security.