Prince Group Asset Investigation Advances: Chinese Victims May Be Eligible to File Claims, Over 90,000 BTC Once Flowed Through Affiliated Entities

Odaily Report: Following the capture of Chen Zhi, the "mastermind" behind Cambodia's Prince Group, multiple jurisdictions have successively initiated proceedings to dispose of Prince Group's related assets. In connection with the 30 British Virgin Islands (BVI) entities effectively controlled by Chen Zhi, local courts have appointed Joint Provisional Liquidators (JPLs) to investigate and preserve the corresponding assets. The BVI insolvency proceedings are collective in nature, and eligibility to file claims is not determined by nationality or jurisdiction—potential victims from any jurisdiction may file claims. This means that victims of telecom fraud and online gambling from China may also be able to submit claims at some point in the future.

It is noted that "the scope of liquidation is not determined solely on the basis of sanctions." Two companies not subject to sanctions but included in the liquidation list—Amber Hill Ventures Limited ("AHV") and Lateral Bridge Global Limited ("LBG")—were mentioned in U.S. judicial proceedings and are entities within the broad network associated with Prince Group. Prosecutors stated that of the more than 120,000 BTC seized by the United States, over 90,000 BTC flowed through AHV, LBG, and another entity registered in the Cayman Islands, Future Technology Investment. As for claims by victims of telecom fraud and online gambling, no claims filing and distribution process has yet been established. If liquidation proceedings commence in the future and sufficient funds are available to support distributions to creditors, the liquidators will establish a claims process, adjudicate claims, and make distributions in accordance with BVI insolvency law. (Caixin)