PNP investigates ransom money trail, freezes crypto accounts

The Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed that ransom money paid by Anson Que's family was transferred through accounts of two casino junket operators, the 9 Dynasty Group and White Horse Club.

Chinese national Li Duan Wang, who operates the 9 Dynasty Group in Cambodia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, had his Filipino naturalization bid vetoed due to security concerns raised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group subpoenaed two local virtual asset service providers (VASP) and contacted two others outside the country as part of their investigation into the ransom money trail.

A VASP outside the Philippines was able to freeze several accounts containing USD79,000 (PHP4.4 million), facilitating activities involving cryptocurrency transactions.

The PNP chief called for stricter regulation on junket operations and offered a PHP10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Wenli Gong alias Kelly Tan Lim, who is linked to one of the alleged masterminds behind Que's kidnapping and murder.