BANGKOK — A Thai court has issued arrest warrants for foreign businessman Ben Smith, also known as South African Benjamin Mauerberger, and his wife, Cattaliya Beevor, over allegations of investment fraud and money laundering. Authorities say one victim lost more than US$30 million (S$38.2 million).
Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said the couple engaged in “cross-border investment fraud” dating back to 2016. Media reports have previously linked Smith to transnational scams in Cambodia, part of a multibillion-dollar illicit industry in Southeast Asia.
Thai Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the warrants align with government efforts to crack down on scammers and money launderers, “regardless of who they are.” The criminal court issued the warrants on Feb. 26 for fraud and money laundering charges.
According to the CIB, Smith and Beevor deceived an unnamed foreign investor into putting money into stocks, real estate, a private jet, and energy businesses, ultimately convincing the victim to transfer more than one billion baht (S$40.4 million). Smith presented himself as an investment expert promising returns up to 11 percent.
Authorities also moved last week to confiscate assets worth over US$410 million from Smith and other individuals accused of fraud, according to Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office.
Smith has previously been described by investigative reports as operating “boiler room” scams and rising to a “shadow financial kingpin” in the region. Smith and Beevor reportedly left Thailand in 2025.
Separately, Thai lawmaker Rangsiman Rome recently pleaded not guilty to a defamation complaint filed by Smith over statements accusing him of being a scammer.
Smith’s legal representative, Witoon Kengngan, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
