Unveiling the Links Between Yim Liak, Ben Smith, and Tang Thai: Anti-Money Laundering Office Seizes Assets Worth Tens of Billions, Solving the Mystery of Secret Figures Connected to Cambodian Network

Unveiling the links between Yim Liak, Ben Smith, and Tang Thai: the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) freezes assets worth tens of billions, solving the mystery of secret figures connected to the Cambodian network.

On 3 Dec 2025 GMT+7, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) and related agencies jointly held a press conference announcing the seizure and freezing of assets from three transnational scammer networks, totaling more than 10 billion baht. These include:

1. The network of Mr. Kok An, a Cambodian businessman who used "mule" accounts and deceived the public. This large network had an operational center in Cambodia. Authorities seized 90 items worth a total of 467 million baht.

2. Mr. Chen Zhu, chairman of Prince Group, is under investigation for online fraud, human trafficking, and money laundering via digital currencies. Authorities seized 302 assets including land, cash, and branded goods valued at 373 million baht.

3. Ms. Tang Thai Ban Mahings, linked to the groups of Mr. Yim Liak and Mr. Ben Smith, was found involved in fraud and money laundering, with assets seized totaling 9.279 billion baht.

The connection between Yim Liak, Ben Smith, and Tang Thai

Pol. Maj. Gen. Sophon Saraphat, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, revealed this operation arose from public complaints. In 2021, about 700 victims were defrauded online through various scams including fake online purchases, gambling, jobs, and loan apps.

Tracing victims' money transferred through multiple layers of mule accounts, investigators found that at the fifth layer there were two accounts opened with Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank under the name Mr. Yim Liak, who was the ultimate beneficiary. The Bangkok Bank account showed transactions exceeding 3 billion baht from over 300 transfers, while the Kasikorn Bank account had losses amounting to 154 million baht.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Sophon said authorities collected evidence leading to arrest warrants for 42 suspects, including key warrants for Mr. Yim Liak and his Thai wife, Mrs. Wirinya Yim. So far, 29 arrests have been made; 13 suspects remain at large, including Yim Liak, his wife, and one Cambodian "mule". However, none of the arrest warrants include the name of Mr. Ben Smith, though transactions linked or possibly connected to him have been identified. It is AMLO's duty to investigate further, and some transaction orders have already been issued.

"We have completed part of the investigation but are racing against time due to extensive documentation. The money trail clearly identifies Mr. Yim Liak and his wife. Initially, both accounts were under Yim Liak’s name, but later the funds were laundered into accounts jointly held with his wife, who has arrest warrants issued. Other individuals are being investigated based on facts and evidence," said Pol. Maj. Gen. Sophon. He also disclosed that authorities have seized assets worth a total of 10.157 billion baht under AMLO's transaction committee orders. Mr. Thepsu Bowornchotidara, Secretary-General of AMLO,

said the case began with a "mule" authorized to handle bank deposits named

Ms. Tang Thai Ban Mahings.

Between 2017 and 2022, transactions involved transferring proceeds from crimes into accounts belonging to Mr. Yim Liak, his wife, and Mr. Ben Smith, totaling over 15 billion baht. Tracing investigations revealed that this group established "front companies" or shell companies to hold assets and launder money from crimes and scammer activities, buying various assets. AMLO coordinated with the Royal Thai Police to conduct asset seizure operations in this case, including land, condominium units, securities held via brokerage firms, bank accounts, luxury cars, and yachts.

The Secretary-General added that the frozen shares are valued at approximately 6 billion baht (as of 28 Nov), involving many companies, mostly shares of a "certain company." These assets were verified by AMLO as linked to crimes and will be frozen for 90 days. Owners have 30 days to prove the assets are not related to wrongdoing, after which the freeze can be lifted if successful. Who are Yim Liak, Ben Smith, and Tang Thai? Mr. Yim Liak is a Cambodian businessman, son of a former Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister. He is married to a Thai socialite and serves as Chairman of B.I.C Group, operating in real estate, energy, and banking through B.I.C Bank. Previously,

Mr. Woraphak Thanyawong, former Deputy Finance Minister under Prime Minister Anutin’s government, was named as an advisor, but he clarified he is not involved with the scammers and resigned to affirm his innocence. He acknowledged meeting Yim Liak but denied ever being a bank advisor or receiving payments; his image was used without consent. Meanwhile,

Mr. Ben Smith, also known as Benjamin Mauerberger,

is a South African businessman with Cambodian nationality and a former advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen. Mr. Rangsiman Rome, a People's Party MP, raised his name during a government policy debate. Investigative journalist Tom Wright, famous for exposing Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal, accused Ben Smith of being a "coordinator" linking gray capital, criminal organizations, and regional power figures. However, Ben Smith denied any involvement with scammers and announced legal actions against Rangsiman Rome and Tom Wright. Both individuals are on the list of 43 persons sanctioned by the U.S. Congress in September 2025 for alleged involvement with scammer and money laundering networks in Cambodia. Yim Liak is accused of facilitating money laundering for scammers through B.I.C Bank. Ms. Tang Thai Ban Mahings appeared in news in 2013 as a proxy authorized by Sahasub International Co., Ltd. to file a police complaint after a robbery of the Sataporn Wattana vessel carrying Singapore dollars and Malaysian ringgit, valued at nearly 120 million baht, near Losin Island, Pattani Province on 2 Oct 2013. The company, registered on 30 June 2010, dealt in foreign currency exchange and included Ms. Tang Thai as a shareholder alongside others sharing the surname of

"Sia Jo Pattani," a well-known Southern businessman wanted in a 2021 illegal oil money laundering case. During the press conference, reporters asked if investigations would expand to this area. The AMLO Secretary-General confirmed that all aspects would be thoroughly investigated, and if smuggling or customs evasion is found, further actions will follow. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anutin responded to questions regarding Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Gen. Thammanat Prompao, who admitted knowing Ben Smith, saying, "Knowing someone is natural, but policies assign investigators to act strictly according to law, evidence, and investigation without exception, whoever is linked must be prosecuted accordingly."