Former Macau triad boss ‘Broken Tooth’ Wan Kuok-koi to use blockchain and overseas Chinese links in Cambodia venture

Wan to build new HQ for fraternal organisation he heads, soon after reported involvement in successful cryptocurrency launch

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Wan Kuok-koi served 14 years in prison for gangland crimes including leading the 14k triad society in Macau. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Published: 8:03pm, 7 Jun 2018Updated: 8:32pm, 7 Jun 2018

The convicted former Macau triad leader known as “Broken Tooth” is expanding his business interests beyond the casino hub by creating a new headquarters in Cambodia for the cultural organisation he leads.

Wan Kuok-koi – released from jail in 2012 after serving 14 years for gangland crimes including leading the 14k triad society in the former Portuguese enclave – reportedly plans to leverage blockchain technology to “build a Chinese cultural town in Cambodia”. It is part of a plan to spread knowledge of Chinese culture to ethnic Chinese overseas.

The expansion of Wan’s interest, reported by Macau media outlets and confirmed by sources to the Post, comes amid unconfirmed reports that a cryptocurrency launched by a company he is linked with has been one of the biggest earners so far this year, raising US$320 million.

Wan is chairman of the The World Hongmen History and Culture Association, a fraternal Chinese cultural group with tens of thousands of members globally. The association plans to establish schools “to allow ethnic Chinese living in other countries to learn about Chinese culture” .

It also plans to issue its own cryptocurrency and to move into other businesses, such as e-commerce, hotels and casinos. In addition, the association plans to set up the “Hongmen Security Company” to assist businesses expanding through China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” to boost global trade.