U.K. Seeks to Freeze $68 Million in Real Estate Linked to Chinese-Born Investor with Multiple Passports
British authorities have moved to restrict access to approximately $68 million worth of luxury properties connected to Yuan Yihua, a Chinese-born businessman who acquired citizenship through investment programs in Cyprus, Cambodia, and Vanuatu.
U.K. Authorities Pursue Asset Freezes
Property records from the United Kingdom indicate that Yuan Yihua accumulated at least 14 properties across London between June 2021 and January 2025. Among the assets is a mansion valued at roughly $32 million in the prestigious St Johns Wood district.
Documents filed with the U.K. Land Registry reveal that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) submitted applications for freezing orders against these properties on May 11.
Neither the CPS nor the National Crime Agency provided comments regarding the reasons behind the requested restrictions.
The action comes shortly after the CPS unveiled a new strategy focused on combating serious organized crime and financial misconduct. According to the agency, asset confiscation now plays a central role in its enforcement efforts. The CPS reported that more than $707 million had been recovered through confiscation proceedings during the last five years.
Prince Group Investigation Remains in Focus
One organization that has attracted significant attention from British authorities is the Prince Group, a Cambodian conglomerate accused of operating scam compounds allegedly staffed in part by victims of human trafficking.
In March, U.K. authorities announced additional sanctions and asset freezes targeting individuals and organizations reportedly connected to the Prince Group.
Among those sanctioned was Hu Xiaowei.
An investigation by Scam-Or Project previously revealed that Hu Xiaowei allegedly used at least three separate identities and controlled property holdings in the United Kingdom valued at approximately $45 million.
Connections Through Private Jet Travel
Flight records reviewed by Scam-Or Project indicate that Yuan Yihua traveled to the Pacific nation of Palau aboard a private aircraft owned by a company controlled by Hu Xiaowei.
Also onboard that flight was Yang Jian, another investor who has acquired several high-value London properties.
Both Yang Jian and Hu Xiaowei (under one of his alternative identities) were sanctioned by the United States because of their alleged links to a Prince Group-affiliated company involved in a real estate project in Palau.
A spokesperson for Prince Group previously stated that the company rejects what it described as unfounded allegations made by U.S. authorities and repeated by other jurisdictions.
It is important to note that Yuan Yihua has not been sanctioned in connection with Prince Group. Furthermore, his name does not appear among the directors of the group’s principal holding entities.
Yuan Yihua did not respond to requests for comment concerning the CPS applications seeking to freeze his real estate assets.
Nine Properties Purchased in a Single Day
Of the 14 properties affected by the freeze order applications, nine were acquired on June 23, 2021.
All nine units are located within the Legacy Building, an upscale residential development in London’s Nine Elms area that features a rooftop swimming pool overlooking the U.S. Embassy.
Questions Over Ownership Documentation
A transfer document relating to one of the apartments contains an unusual alteration.
The paperwork initially identified the buyer as a company named Unstoppable Bird Limited. However, according to documents obtained by Transparency International U.K. and reviewed by Scam-Or Project, the company name was crossed out and replaced manually with Yuan Yihua’s name.
Unstoppable Bird Limited and Qiu Wei Ren
Corporate filings in the United Kingdom show that Unstoppable Bird Limited is controlled by Qiu Wei Ren.
In 2025, Qiu Wei Ren was sanctioned for his alleged connections to the Prince Group.
Land Registry data further indicates that Unstoppable Bird purchased six additional apartments in the Legacy Building on the same day that Yuan Yihua completed his acquisitions.
Qiu Wei Ren did not respond to questions regarding the modifications made to the transfer document or whether he maintained any business relationship with Yuan Yihua.
Additional High-Value Properties Targeted
The properties included in the CPS applications extend beyond central London.
Among them are:
| Property | Location | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury residence | Weybridge, Surrey | Approximately $14 million |
| Mansion on Avenue Road | London | Multi-million-dollar property |
The Weybridge property is located within a gated residential development, while the Avenue Road mansion sits on one of London’s most prestigious and expensive streets.
Land records show that Yuan Yihua purchased the Avenue Road property in January 2025. A recent site visit confirmed that extensive renovation work is currently underway.
Summary
The CPS applications represent one of the latest examples of the U.K.’s increasing focus on asset recovery as part of its strategy against organized financial crime. While no public allegations directly connect Yuan Yihua to criminal activity, authorities are seeking court-approved freezing orders covering a portfolio of luxury properties valued at approximately $68 million. The case also highlights ongoing scrutiny surrounding individuals previously linked to the Prince Group network and related international investigations.
