OCCRP: UK Freezes $72-Million London Townhouse in Connection to Sanctioned Prince Group Associate

• OCCRP states Zhao Chen purchased the Belgravia townhouse in October 2023 for 53 million pounds ($72 million).
• OCCRP notes Zhao Chen was listed as a shareholder in AB Digital Technology Resort Lda until December 2025.

British authorities placed a freeze order late last month on a $72-million Belgravia townhouse purchased by Zhao Chen, citing her association with Wu An Ming, a designated asset freeze target linked to the Prince Group. Official filings obtained by Transparency International and shared with OCCRP confirm the freeze order and Zhao Chen's purchase in October 2023.

Zhao Chen was a shareholder in AB Digital Technology Resort Lda until December 2025, a company involved in a blockchain theme resort in Timor Leste. Both the majority shareholder and managing director of AB Digital Technology Resort have been sanctioned for alleged involvement with the Prince Group, which is accused of cyber-fraud and trafficking.

• $72-million Value of frozen London property
• 53 million pounds Purchase price of Belgravia townhouse

• Screen for asset freeze targets named in U.K. Land Registry filings, including Wu An Ming and Zhao Chen.
• Review corporate records for links to AB Digital Technology Resort Lda and its sanctioned shareholders or directors.
• Monitor transactions involving the Prince Group and entities associated with Timor Leste blockchain theme resort developments.

This case highlights the U.K.'s increasing use of asset freezes to target properties linked to sanctioned individuals and alleged criminal organizations such as the Prince Group. Compliance officers must be vigilant about indirect connections, as asset freezes can extend to associates and related entities, even if they are not directly sanctioned. The story also underscores the importance of monitoring cross-border asset acquisitions and corporate relationships, especially when linked to cyber-fraud and trafficking allegations.