Prince Group Figure Hu Shi Arrested in Osaka

Hu Shi, a Cyprus national linked to the alleged Prince Group “pig butchering” scam, was arrested in Osaka on June 14 on suspicion of falsifying public records. Japanese police say the arrest followed an April application that listed a false Tokyo address.

Police allege the false address was part of an application for permanent residency. Hu has told investigators he left paperwork to an agent and that the change was intended to obtain residence status. The charge under investigation is submitting false public documents.

Investigators say security camera footage helped identify Hu. Police searched for him at several luxury hotels in Osaka before making the arrest. Authorities allege he used an agent to handle residency filings; Hu has cooperated by answering questions about the agent’s role.

Japanese authorities have linked Hu to Prince Group, an organization that U.S. and other international officials say operated a large scam center in Cambodia. In October 2025, U.S. authorities designated Prince Group as a Transnational Criminal Organization. The Justice Department later filed a civil forfeiture action seeking 127,271 bitcoins — nearly $15 billion at the time — and charged alleged ringleader Chen Zhi with wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money. Chen was arrested in Cambodia, had his nationality revoked in January, and was extradited to China.

U.S. officials also targeted Huione Group, a Cambodian financial conglomerate accused of providing services to cybercriminals and state-backed actors. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the firm as “the marketplace of choice for malicious cyber actors like the DPRK and criminal syndicates, who have stolen billions of dollars from everyday Americans.”

Japanese corporate records list Hu as a representative director of a Tokyo-headquartered company whose registered capital rose about sixfold over three years. Investigators are reviewing company filings, bank records and travel documents to trace any financial links between Hu, the company and the wider network. Japanese authorities say they are coordinating with foreign law enforcement on those reviews. FBI Director Kash Patel has said the bureau will increase efforts targeting pig butchering rings and the use of cryptocurrencies to launder proceeds.

No criminal indictment tied to the international fraud case has been announced against Hu in Japan. He remains held on the falsified records allegation while investigators continue their inquiry.