By June Chan | Spring Studio

The public outcry sparked by actor Wang Xing's abduction to a telecom fraud park in Myawaddy, Myanmar, located far on the Thai-Burmese border, is still boiling. As one of the many notorious parks in the area, Dongmei Park has also witnessed numerous shocking incidents of human trafficking and telecom fraud.

According to public reports: In June 2022, a Chinese international student who went to Thailand for work ended up being deceived and taken to Dongmei Park to participate in a "pig-butchering" scam, during which he experienced beatings and confinement in a dark room. After being imprisoned for nine months, he managed to escape after enduring numerous hardships. In February 2023, in Dongmei Park, a Malaysian man jumped into a river during a rainy night to escape but was pulled out of the water and brutally beaten by a uniformed individual on the Thai riverbank, who then called over a bamboo raft on the opposite bank and sold him back. In February 2024, 11 victims who were lured to Myawaddy collectively attempted to escape from Dongmei Park by crossing the river, but only 6 men were successfully rescued.

Multiple public reports indicate that one of the main investors in the real estate projects of Dongmei Park is Wan Kuok Koi, formerly the head of the largest gang in Macau, known as 14K Triad, and referred to as the "Emperor of Macau." He is commonly known by the nickname "Broken Tooth."

In December 2012, after serving 13 years in prison, Wan Kuok Koi gradually returned to his former activities and became active in the gambling business. He opened casinos or invested in real estate projects in various countries and regions, including Macau, Cambodia, Palau, Myanmar, and Malaysia. He also issued cryptocurrencies and established an organization claiming to be "patriotic and caring for the people"—the "World Hongmen Historical and Cultural Association"(hereinafter referred to as "Hongmen Association"). Additionally, he launched a variety of "Hongmen" themed products, including betel nut, beer, red wine, mineral water, jeans, leather goods, watches, jewelry, and even hot pot.

Public records indicate that Wan Kuok Koi is an investor in the real estate projects of Dongmei Park in Myanmar; however, there is currently no evidence to prove that he has a direct connection to the incidents of human trafficking and telecom fraud occurring in the park. Additionally, according to publicly available information from the U.S. government and law enforcement officials in Palau, Wan Kuok Koi has been linked to illegal online gambling activities in Cambodia and Palau. Furthermore, a January 2024 investigation report released by the United Nations also pointed out that the cryptocurrency issued by Wan Kuok Koi may be used for money laundering and transaction fraud.

In February 2021, Malaysian police applied to Interpol for a red notice against Wan Kuok Koi due to his alleged involvement in stock manipulation.

Owners of Dongmei Park

The former name of Dongmei Park was "Saixigang Park." According to the World Hongmen Historical and Cultural Association, an organization under Wan Kuok Koi, the meaning of this name is“It will surpass Cambodia’s Sihanoukville and become the ‘Shenzhen of Southeast Asia, ' creating the first economic special zone in ASEAN."

Sihanoukville was once known as the "City of Online Gambling." In August 2019, Cambodia issued a "gambling ban" targeting online gambling, leading to a mass exodus of local gambling operators.

Wan Kuok Koi may be one of the individuals involved in this wave of exodus. In December 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Wan Kuok Koi and three organizations he controls, one of which includes the Hong Kong company DONGMEI INVESTMENT GROUP CO., LIMITED. The related sanctions announcement stated that Wan Kuok Koi worked closely with other criminal actors to promote illegal online gambling in Sihanoukville which resulted in the spread of violent crime, as well as billions of dollars in fraud and corruption.

After withdrawing from Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Myawaddy in Myanmar became Wan Kuok Koi's new investment destination.

According to promotional articles from the Hongmen Association on its WeChat official account, on February 24, 2020, Wan Kuok Koi attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Dongmei Park. On March 15, 2020, the launch meeting for the Dongmei Park project took place, where Wan Kuok Koi again attended the meeting as the "President of the Hongmen Association and Chairman of the Board of Dongmei Group."

The aforementioned promotional article stated that Dongmei Group would invest nearly 80 billion Malaysian Ringgit (approximately 130 billion Chinese Yuan) in the construction and investment of a large-scale comprehensive park spanning 30,000 acres located in Myawaddy. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Wan Kuok Koi, as a representative, mentioned in his speech: "For many years, Dongmei Group has been committed to creating the world's safest office parks, with investments in Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, the Philippines, and other locations. Our main business includes the development and operation of multiple industrial parks, property management, offline casino franchising, and exclusive operation management of all businesses within the industrial parks."

(The image is sourced from the WeChat official account "Hongmen Official," with Wan Kuok Koi positioned second from the right in the front row.)

The aforementioned promotional article also mentioned that at least three individuals from the Malaysian political scene attended the launch meeting for the Dongmei Park project alongside Wan Kuok Koi, including "Abdul Shakor, the chief secretary to three Malaysian prime ministers and Chairman of Dongmei Group," and "Mashitah Binti Ibrahim, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Minister of Religious Affairs, who is also a co-founder of Dongmei Group."

According to publicly available information, Abdul Shakor and Mashitah Binti Ibrahim indeed have backgrounds in Malaysian politics and are married to each other.

The Hong Kong Companies Registry shows that Dongmei Group was established on March 3, 2020, with one of the founding members being Abdul Shakor. The other founding member is Yong Mun Hong, who is also of Malaysian nationality. The name Wan Kuok Koi does not appear in the company registry.

However, Mashitah Binti Ibrahim later explained in a media interview that she and her husband were invited by friends to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of Dongmei Group and have no business dealings with Wan Kuok Koi. A person who responded to messages on Mashitah Binti Ibrahim's phone also told the media that the company records listing Abdul Shakor as a director of Dongmei Group were forged.

Although Dongmei Group claims to plan an investment of 80 billion Malaysian Ringgit in the Dongmei Park project, it appears that they do not intend to fund the entire amount themselves.

The "Hongmen Official" WeChat account, in its April 2020 publication titled "Introduction to the Cooperation Framework of Dongmei Group Saihsi Port International Industrial Park," mentioned several cooperation terms.

According to the terms, the projects for which Dongmei Group seeks "cooperation" include residential housing and nightclubs, with different cooperation mechanisms, repayment methods, and profit-sharing ratios for the two types of investments. The terms also mention that nightclubs, which serve high-end consumer groups within the park, are classified as monopolistic enterprises, while entertainment projects such as "sauna bathing" and KTV, which cater to lower-end consumer groups, are not included within the monopolistic scope of nightclubs.

Prior to the release of the "Cooperation Framework Introduction," Wan Kuok Koi had already found his partners. The aforementioned promotional article from the "Hongmen Official" WeChat account mentioned that at the project launch meeting held on March 15, 2020, Dongmei Group signed contracts with four companies to establish strategic cooperation.

Among the collaborators, Chen Jiale from the Cambodia Sihanoukville Pearl City Group represented his group in signing a cooperation investment agreement with Dongmei Group for 200 acres of land. The proposed investment amounts to 250 million RMB, which includes the development of commercial complexes and accommodation office buildings, totaling 100,000 square meters.

The Chairman of the Malaysian Huangting Nightclub Group, Dato Tee Hon Voon, also signed a cooperation investment agreement with Dongmei Group for 50 acres of land, with a proposed investment of 60 million RMB to construct a large nightclub.

The Chairman of the Cambodia Zhonggang Investment Group, Xu Chaogang, signed a cooperation investment agreement with Dongmei Group for 50 acres of land, proposing an investment of 50 million RMB to construct accommodation office buildings totaling 20,000 square meters.

Wang Qingjun, who claims to be the head of the Myawaddy project for a certain central enterprise and the president of Beijing Kejian Lian Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., signed a land cooperation investment agreement with Dongmei Group, proposing an investment of 330 million RMB. This investment includes the development of a recreational complex, hotel, commercial building, and accommodation office buildings, totaling 160,000 square meters.

However, Spring Studio was unable to verify from public information whether this central enterprise indeed has a Myawaddy project in Myanmar and whether Wang Qingjun is actually the head of such a project. Furthermore, it raises questions as to why a person who claims to be the project head of a central enterprise can also hold the position of president in a private company.

However, it can be verified that there is no equity relationship between the aforementioned central enterprise and the private company Beijing Kejian Lian Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.

Public information indicates that the private company Beijing Kejian may have a questionable track record. According to the business registration details, Beijing Kejian was co-founded by Wang Qingjun and Miao Hongmei in April 2017, with Wang Qingjun initially serving as the legal representative, manager, and executive director. However, just three months later, he exited the shareholder roster of Beijing Kejian. When Wang Qingjun represented Beijing Kejian in signing the cooperation agreement with Dongmei Group, the company’s shareholders had already changed to Zheng Hengkuan and Miao Hongmei. At that time, Beijing Kejian had been listed as a dishonored party due to an unpaid amount of 614,000 RMB. In February 2022, Beijing Kejian was revoked of its business license by regulatory authorities.

Information from the Cambodia Company Registry indicates that Xu Chaogang established Zhong Gang Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd. in February 2019. Notably, the company's address is listed in Sihanoukville, which is the same area where Wan Kuok Koi was accused of promoting illegal online gambling prior to his investment in the Myanmar industrial park.

Spring Studio was unable to find corresponding company information for the Cambodia Sihanoukville Pearl City Group and the Malaysian Huangting Nightclub Group.

The Black Gold Empire of Broken Tooth

In November 1999, Wan Kuok Koi was sentenced to 15 years in prison for multiple charges, including involvement in organized crime, usury, money laundering, possession of firearms, and illegal gambling, which was later reduced to 13 years and 10 months.

Before this, Wan Kuok Koi was the leader of the largest organized crime group in Macau, 14K Triad. During his high-profile period, he invested in and produced an autobiographical film titled " Casino," which tells the story of how the protagonist rises from being a member of the "14K Triad " gang to becoming a mafia boss.

On December 1, 2012, Wan Kuok Koi was released from prison. Various signs indicate that after his release, he became active in the gambling business once again.

(Wan Kuok Koi)

According to reports from Hong Kong media, after his release from prison, Wan Kuok Koi invested in multiple gambling establishments. In June 2015, he even rented an entire floor of a hotel in Macau to open the Macau Guoying Casino, which was estimated to have a minimum monthly turnover of around 4 billion Hong Kong dollars.

Wan Kuok Koi's companies in mainland China also reflect his business activities during this period.

In April 2016, Hainan Ruili Financial Holding Cyber Sports Co., Ltd was established. According to the statement on the "Hongmen Official ", Wan Kuok Koi was the president of Hainan Ruili. However, Wan Kuok Koi does not appear on the list of shareholders in the Hainan Ruili. The business scope of this company includes the issuance, sales, and trading services of virtual currency for online games, as well as online competitive ball games. On a recruitment website, there were comments from netizens under Hainan Ruili, saying, "This is a fraudulent company. Its business is not legitimate. It blatantly engages in gambling.”

Although the influence of the former Macau 14K Triad had faded by this time, Wan Kuok Koi quickly established another organization. In 2018, he prominently founded the headquarters of the World Hongmen Historical and Cultural Association in Cambodia.

The official WeChat account "Hongmen Official " mentioned that the association is "an international fellowship organization affiliated with the Hongmen Hall, founded by the renowned patriotic entrepreneur Wan Kuok Koi from Macau... Its purpose is to promote Hongmen's historical culture, inherit the spirit of loyalty and righteousness, unite Chinese communities worldwide, and contribute to the development and construction of the nation, as well as to promote peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Strait."

According to information obtained from the Cambodian company registry by Spring Studio, a company named "SHIJIE HONGMEN INVESTMENT CO., LTD." was established in September 2018, with Xu Ranran listed as the responsible person. Based on public reports, Wan Kuok Koi's wife is Xu Ranran. In the same year, "Xu Ranran," as the sole shareholder, also established the World Hongmen International E-commerce (Hong Kong) Limited in Hong Kong.

It is reported that the World Hongmen Historical and Cultural Association currently has 12 affiliated chapters, with members distributed across regions including Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States.

On May 20, 2018, at the headquarters establishment ceremony of the "World Hongmen Historical and Cultural Association" held in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, Wan Kuok Koi conducted the first roadshow for a cryptocurrency called "Hong Coin," issued in the name of Hongmen, with a total issuance of 1 billion coins. It is reported that within less than 5 minutes of the "Hong Coin" issuance, Wan Kuok Koi raised $750 million (equivalent to approximately 5.463 billion RMB).

Although Wan Kuok Koi invited several senior officials from the Cambodian government and military to attend the "Hong Coin" roadshow event, just one month after the issuance of "Hong Coin," the National Bank of Cambodia, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia, and the National Police Headquarters issued a joint statement, solemnly declaring that all cryptocurrencies that are promoted, circulated, or traded in Cambodia without licenses from the competent authorities are considered illegal activities.

Almost at the same time, according to public information, Wan Kuok Koi also issued another cryptocurrency called "Dragon Coin."

Why did Wan Kuok Koi issue cryptocurrencies? A subsequent investigation report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in January 2024 revealed the answer.

The United Nations report points out that cryptocurrencies have become an important part of underground banking and money laundering infrastructure in East Asia and Southeast Asia, facilitating local transnational organized crime. Taking Wan Kuok Koi's "Hong Coin" and "Dragon Coin" as examples, Hong Coin is only traded on the cryptocurrency exchange A.Top, where gamblers can purchase Hong Coin using another cryptocurrency or fiat currency and transfer it to casino operators in exchange for casino chips. Conversely, they can also use it to place bets in online gambling and withdraw via cryptocurrency. Similarly, players can exchange fiat currency for "Dragon Coin," then convert it into Dragon Chip tokens, which can later be exchanged back into "Dragon Coin" and converted into fiat currency and luxury prizes using a smartphone wallet. Both "Hong Coin" and "Dragon Coin" exhibit the same characteristics on exchanges, experiencing dramatic price fluctuations that lead to trading suspensions, indicating that these cryptocurrencies may be used for money laundering or so-called "pump and dump" investor fraud scheme.

Hong Coin was previously promoted as being applicable to various sectors under Hongmen, including tourism, gambling, hospitality, e-commerce platforms, and other industry chains.

After the issuance of cryptocurrencies, Wan Kuok Koi swiftly launched a variety of "Hongmen" branded merchandise, including betel nuts, beer, red wine, bottled water, jeans, leather goods, watches, and jewelry, among others. These products are operated or produced by several mainland Chinese companies, most of which were established between 2019 and 2020, but Wan Kuok Koi did not serve as a named shareholder with direct stakes in these companies.

In early 2019, Wan Kuok Koi publicly claimed that he had signed a 99-year contract with the government of Palau, designating Angaur as a Hongmen Special Economic Zone. He stated that he would build and operate a Hongmen-themed resort there, which would include a casino where Hong Coin could be circulated and used. During the same period, the Hongmen Cultural Association established a branch in Palau.

However, by the end of 2019 and into mid-2020, local media reported that Palau's law enforcement agencies detained over 200 workers during three raids related to suspected online gambling activities, most of whom were recruited Chinese nationals. These individuals were hired as low-wage workers for illegal online gambling operations and were kept in line through beatings and intimidation, with some being held as debt slaves. Police records also indicated that some individuals entered the country via Cambodia, which has become a trafficking hub for Chinese criminal groups involved in online scams. Although the masterminds behind these gambling activities could not be identified, the police chief believed that these operations were linked to Wan Kuok Koi and his associates' activities in Palau.

According to statements from senior officials in the local government, after learning about Wan Kuok Koi's gang affiliations, his investment projects in Palau faced opposition. As a result, the Hongmen Association of Palau applied for voluntary dissolution.

In 2020, in addition to investing in the Dongmei Park in Myanmar's Myawaddy, Wan Kuok Koi also became the chairman of the Malaysian-listed company INIX Technologies starting in June of that year. Another independent non-executive director of the company is Zhai Haochen, who also has ties to the 14K and the Hong Kong triad organization "Wo Shing Wo," where he served as a sitting leader (the highest-ranking leader of a triad). He is commonly referred to as "Sha Tin Me." There are rumors that Wan Kuok Koi and Zhai Haochen collaborated on an investment in a Hong Kong police and gangster film during the same period.

The "Wo Shing Wo" triad may not be the only Hong Kong organization currently associated with Wan Kuok Koi. Spring Studio found that in December 2019, Wan Kuok Koi's wife, Xu Ranran, became a director of the Hong Kong company "Zhonggangao Real Estate and Property Management Association Limited." This company was previously directed by two Hong Kong individuals, WONG CHIU TAT and LEUNG PUI WA. Coincidentally, a statement issued by the "Dongjiang Column (Hong Kong) Anti-Japanese Veterans Cultural Promotion Association" also listed members named " WONG CHIU TAT" and "LEUNG PUI WA."

During his tenure as chairman of INIX Technologies, Wan Kuok Koi continued to expand his real estate investment portfolio. In July 2020, he publicly announced his intention to develop a 791.64-acre (approximately 3.2 million square meters) site in southern Perak, Malaysia, with plans to create a hot spring resort.

However, the year 2020 was destined to be a turning point in Wan Kuok Koi's career after his release from prison.

In October 2020, the Malaysian police issued a wanted notice for Wan Kuok Koi. The reason for this was that during his tenure as chairman of INIX Technologies, he failed to transfer the company's shares to a third party, which led to allegations of stock manipulation and fraud totaling approximately 6 million Malaysian ringgit (equivalent to about 9.795 million RMB).

In December 2020, Wan Kuok Koi urgently resigned as chairman of INIX Technologies.

Around the same time that Wan Kuok Koi resigned from INIX Technologies, the U.S. Department of the Treasury also issued a sanctions notice against him. The Treasury described Wan Kuok Koi as a leader of "one of the world's largest Chinese criminal organizations," involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal gambling, and racketeering. Sanctions were imposed on his entities, including Dongmei Group, the Hongmen Cultural Association of Palau, and the World Hongmen Historical and Cultural Association located in Cambodia.

In response to the U.S. sanctions, Wan Kuok Koi publicly stated that the World Hongmen Historical and Cultural Association has always complied with the law and has never engaged in any illegal activities. He urged the U.S. authorities to be cautious in their statements and to stop the malicious smear campaign against him and the association.

In February 2021, Malaysian police issued a red notice for Wan Kuok Koi to Interpol.

However, this did not seem to affect Wan Kuok Koi's normal life. Malaysian police stated to the media that since Wan Kuok Koi left Malaysia for Hong Kong in March 2020, they had lost track of him. Subsequently, he became active on domestic short video platforms, occasionally appearing at company opening events.

Recently, in response to reports claiming that he is the behind-the-scenes owner of Dongmei Park, Wan Kuok Koi addressed the issue in a short video, stating, "These are all baseless rumors. I have never engaged in such unethical activities. Some people are intentionally trying to attack me."

Written by June Chan; Edited by Kiki Zhao

This text has been translated by AI, and the content is subject to the Chinese version. Click to view the original Chinese text.