Tokyo police have arrested Hu Shi, a 44-year-old Cypriot national, on suspicion of violating Japanese law by making and using false electronic official records. Hu is believed to be an executive with Prince Holding Group, a Cambodia-based organization that authorities consider one of Asia's largest criminal networks and which the United States alleges is a front for a multibillion-dollar fraud and money laundering operation.
Authorities across Asia, including Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, have previously seized assets or detained individuals linked to Prince Group. The group's founder, Chen Zhi, was deported to China from Cambodia earlier this year. In November, Prince Holding Group denied any wrongdoing through a U.S. law firm.
Japanese police declined to comment on the arrest. Hu Shi, in an interview on April 23, denied being a leader of Prince Group.
