The Benjamin Mauerberger fraud case has drawn international attention after Thai authorities sought an Interpol red notice for a businessman accused of fraud and money laundering linked to global scam networks, with unverified reports suggesting he may be near Seychelles waters.
Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith, is wanted in Thailand on charges of cross-border investment fraud and money laundering. Authorities allege the offences date back to 2016.
Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau said Mauerberger and his wife, Cattaliya Beevor, are accused of deceiving investors into funding projects including stocks, real estate, energy businesses and a private jet scheme.
According to investigators, one victim transferred more than one billion baht, or about $31.8m. The bureau stated that Mauerberger “portrayed himself as an investment expert and promised returns up to 11%”.
A Thai Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for both suspects. Authorities have also moved to seize assets linked to the case. Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office said it is pursuing the confiscation of assets worth more than 13 billion baht.
Separately, Singaporean authorities have seized about $140m linked to a company associated with the suspect, according to reports.
Media investigations have previously linked Mauerberger to transnational scam operations in Cambodia. These reports describe a wider illicit industry targeting victims worldwide. Individuals cited in those reports describe him as responsible for handling financial flows within the network. The total value of the alleged laundering activity has been reported at about $1.5bn. This figure has not been confirmed in court.
Journalist Simon Allison told CapeTalk that Mauerberger had been involved in telephone-based scams targeting vulnerable individuals.
“He got himself involved in various telephone scam centres… telephoning old people and promising them massive investments and returns,” he said.
Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the case forms part of a broader crackdown on financial crime.
He said authorities would act against offenders “regardless of who they are”.
Mauerberger’s legal representatives have rejected the allegations. They argue the case relates to a civil dispute over share transactions rather than fraud or money laundering. They have also questioned the scale of the asset seizures.
Authorities say the suspects left Thailand last year. Police have previously indicated he may have been in the United Arab Emirates.Some reports state that a vessel linked to Mauerberger travelled towards the Indian Ocean. Separate unverified claims suggest it may be near Seychelles waters. Authorities in Seychelles have not confirmed his presence in the country.
Thai police have requested an Interpol red notice, which would enable law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest him pending extradition or similar legal action.
Officials say investigations are ongoing and involve coordination across multiple jurisdictions.