Thailand’s AMLO to auction seized superyacht Atlas in Phuket on June 23
Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office will auction the seized superyacht Atlas in Phuket on June 23 as part of a money-laundering case linked to an alleged online scam network.
Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) will auction the seized superyacht Atlas in Phuket on June 23 as part of a money-laundering case tied to an alleged transnational online scam network.
The sale, listed as Auction No. 9/2569, will be held at Phuket Provincial Hall. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. and bidding is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., according to AMLO’s announcement.
A second vessel, Strider, equipped with an Air Berth lifting system, will also be auctioned with a starting price of 8.1 million baht.
Prospective buyers will be allowed to inspect the vessels on June 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Atlas will be available for viewing at Visit Panwa Pier, while Strider will be berthed at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina.
AMLO seized Atlas in December last year during an investigation into an online scam network accused of causing more than 9 billion baht in losses. The agency previously said the Cayman Islands-registered yacht was valued at about 1.125 billion baht and was among key assets linked to a money-laundering investigation involving a Thai woman identified only as “Taengthai” and other suspects.
According to AMLO, investigators traced funds used to acquire the yacht to proceeds from online call-centre scams. The agency said the money was allegedly laundered through nominee owners, proxy accounts and third-party financial operators before being invested in high-value assets.
The Bangkok Post has reported that Atlas is owned by South African financier Benjamin Mauerberger, who is wanted by Thai authorities on fraud and money-laundering charges linked to Cambodian scam operations. The newspaper said Thai police were working with Interpol to locate him after he allegedly fled Thailand last year.
In March, the Criminal Court issued arrest warrants and ordered the seizure of assets worth more than US$410 million connected to the case.
AMLO said members of the public and interested buyers could obtain more information through its website or hotline.
