Hong Kong court freezes HK$9 billion in assets, properties linked to Chen Zhi

A Hong Kong court has ordered the freezing of properties and assets worth more than HK$9 billion (US$1.15 billion) held by detained Chinese-born Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi and companies and individuals tied to him, the South China Morning Post has learned.A source told the SCMP on Thursday that the High Court had ordered a restriction on such properties earlier this month following an application from the Department of Justice involving Chen, who is accused of running a sprawling online scam network in Cambodia.The Hong Kong court order prohibits 42 respondents, including Chen, three suspected associates and 38 companies, from dealing with their properties in or outside Hong Kong.