Thailand auctions US$18 million superyacht linked to supersized fraud
Nearly US$700 million in assets have been seized in Thailand so far, an example of the amount of dirty money sloshing through the economy
Mauerberger and his wife, Cattaliya Beevor, are wanted by Thai police on fraud and money laundering charges, linked to what prosecutors allege was a bogus investment scheme stretching back to 2016.
Nearly US$700 million worth of assets have been seized in Thailand so far, much of it linked to Mauerberger. These include shares in major corporations, properties, luxury cars and yachts – an example of what financial experts say are the vast pools of dirty money sloshing through the kingdom’s economy.
Thai police say the pair fled the kingdom as investigators sought them out over the decade-old allegations of investment fraud. Their whereabouts remain unclear, with unconfirmed reports saying they have sought sanctuary in Dubai.
As part of its four-day auction that starts on Tuesday, Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office will “conduct a sale by public auction” of the 51-metre superyacht called Atlas and a speedboat – considered “assets connected with the commission of offences” – at separate Phuket marinas.