Cambodia’s official explanations for how two U.S.-designated money-laundering figures obtained diplomatic passports don’t add up. When Chen Zhi was arrested and extradited to China, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn told Reuters his Cambodian nationality had been “obtained unlawfully” and was revoked following an investigation. Case closed, apparently. But what about Benjamin Mauerberger? Both men received Cambodian citizenship through royal decree. Both were appointed as advisors to Hun Sen. Both were issued diplomatic passports. Chen Zhi’s came in 2014; Mauerberger’s in May 2024. If Chen Zhi’s nationality was unlawful, on what basis was Mauerberger’s lawful? The government has offered no explanation for how an individual the U.S. would later identify as a major transnational criminal passed whatever vetting process exists for diplomatic passport issuance. More pressing: has Mauerberger’s passport actually been revoked? The government has not confirmed this. Mauerberger has been under investigation by journalists Tom Wright and Bradley Hope for two years. In September 2025, he was named in the U.S. Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act. In December 2025, Thailand seized over $300 million in assets linked to him and his alleged Cambodian partner Yim Leak. Thai police publicly identified Mauerberger by name and accused him of involvement in money laundering. Cambodia has said nothing. Geopolitical analyst Seng Vanly wrote on January 21 calling for a transparent internal investigation, warning that diplomatic passports require more than citizenship. They require an official government role or clearly defined state function. The government has not explained what official roles justified issuing diplomatic passports to either man.