Singapore arrests former captain of alleged Cambodian scam kingpin Chen Zhi’s yacht

Singapore police have arrested a U.S.-sanctioned man who operated a superyacht for the alleged mastermind of a large-scale scam network operating in Asia. Nigel Tang Wan Bao Nabil was taken into custody Dec. 11 upon his return to Singapore.

Arrest and Allegations

Tang, 32, is currently out on bail, according to sources familiar with the matter. He was arrested for suspected involvement in money laundering offenses linked to Chen Zhi and companies associated with him, police said in a statement released Dec. 18 in response to a Bloomberg News query.

U.S. authorities have indicted Chen, a China-born Cambodian citizen, accusing him of leading a transnational criminal ring that operated scam compounds with enslaved workers. Prosecutors allege that Chen and his Prince Holding Group stole from victims of online “pig butchering” operations in the U.S. and other countries, laundering billions of dollars in illicit funds. The U.S. government states that Chen, 38, is currently at large.

Tang’s Connections to Chen Zhi

Tang is one of three Singapore citizens sanctioned by the U.S. in October for ties to Chen, the founder and chairman of Prince, a Cambodian conglomerate. According to the U.S. Treasury, Tang was the captain of a superyacht called NONNI II, owned by Chen, and is a director and operations head of Singapore-registered Warpcapital Yacht Management.

Chen and his associates reportedly held frequent parties on the 53-meter superyacht. Tang is also the head of operations at Capital Zone Warehousing, a Singapore firm controlled by Chen that operated a tax-exempt warehouse for imported alcohol and tobacco products.

Investigations and Asset Seizures

Tang did not respond to a request for comment. Prince has denied the scam allegations. Since the U.S. unveiled its case against Chen and Prince, authorities in Singapore and other countries have increased investigations into the group’s activities.

In late October, Singapore police seized or barred the sale of more than $150 million in assets linked to Chen and his associates, including properties, bank accounts, liquor, vehicles, and a yacht. At the time, Chen and his known associates were not in Singapore.

At least 15 bank accounts were among the seized assets. Four Singapore companies controlled by Chen, including his local family office and Capital Zone Warehousing, applied to a local court in November for a limited release of funds from frozen accounts to pay employee salaries and cover legal expenses.

Financial Complications

Karen Chen Xiuling, another U.S.-sanctioned Singaporean, is driving the application and is currently in Cambodia. The firms’ legal team argued they face “severe consequences” if they cannot meet their contractual and legal obligations. They also stated they owe outstanding rent despite being evicted from their premises and salaries to former employees.

Only two staff members remain, including Karen Chen. A court has heard the application and will issue a decision, according to Clarence Lun Yaodong, a lawyer representing the firms, Warpcapital Yacht Management, and Karen Chen.

Malayan Banking, Malaysia’s largest bank, and Britain-based Revolut held more than US$3.2 million (S$4.13 million) for companies controlled by Chen and his associates, according to court filings. Accounts at Singapore bank OCBC and Malaysia’s RHB Bank have also been seized. Chen’s companies previously had accounts with Malaysia’s CIMB Group Holdings that have since been closed.

OCBC declined to comment, while RHB said it is unable to comment due to the ongoing police investigation. CIMB’s Singapore branch said it does not comment on individuals or entities. Revolut stated it is unable to comment further on a matter before the courts. Maybank did not respond to a request for comment.

Singapore prosecutors have objected to the request to unfreeze the money, stating the funds are “suspected tainted properties” related to criminal activities. The Commercial Affairs Department, the police’s white-collar crimes unit, is investigating Chen, his associates, and related companies. Karen Chen and Alan Yeo, another sanctioned Singapore citizen and CEO of the family office, have not responded to requests for interviews from the department.