Man linked to Prince Group arrested in Japan over alleged records fraud
JAPAN: A man who is believed to be a top associate in Cambodia’s notorious Prince Group was arrested in Osaka, where he endeavoured to seek permanent residency. The organisation has been deemed one of the biggest international criminal groups in Asia and has been sanctioned by the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.
Hu Xiaowei, also known as Hu Shi, was picked up by the police in a luxury hotel on June 14, after it was suspected that he had falsified public records. Reporting from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) says the Cypriot national had sought permanent residency under a "high-skilled professional" visa.
Japan’s police force gave an interview to the news agency Kyodo, which was then shared with OCCRP on June 21.
Hu is listed as a representative director of a trading company in Tokyo whose worth grew sixfold from April 2023 to March 2026. Further reporting says that his personal address has been altered numerous times on the corporate registry, from South London to different wards in Tokyo and then to two locations in Osaka.
Along with Hu, two Chinese nationals who were said to have filed paperwork for him were also arrested. All three have had their mobile phones seized by the authorities.
A number of other executives from Prince Group also own companies and real estate assets in several areas in Japan.
The owner of Prince Group is a Cambodian national named Chen Zhi. In Singapore, a local businessman, Tan Yew Kiat, who reportedly has close ties to Chen, was arrested in November. Tan owns a car leasing firm, SRS Auto, which the Singapore Police Force raided.
“The police are investigating Chen Zhi and the companies associated with him. One person has been arrested for his suspected involvement in money laundering offences so far. We are not able to comment further as the investigation is ongoing,” the Police said at the time of Tan’s arrest.
Chen, who has acquired citizenships from Cyprus and Vanuatu, served as adviser to two Cambodian Prime Ministers, Hun Sen and his son Hun Manet.
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His wealth has grown over the years. In the United Kingdom, he purchased a mansion worth £12 million (S$20.6 million) as well as an office block worth £95 million (S$163 million).
In the US, meanwhile, he and his associates have bought a Picasso painting, yachts, and private jets. The UK and US allege that Chen’s money comes from his scam compounds and have charged him with online fraud, human trafficking, and money laundering. Mr Chen and Prince Group are also under investigation in China, Thailand, and Singapore, where S$150 million in assets linked to Prince Group have been seized by the authorities. /TISG
Senior Writer