Mexico freezes Miss Universe co-owner’s bank accounts during organized crime investigation
Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit, which is in charge of combating money laundering, froze the bank accounts of the owner of the Miss Universe pageant, Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú, following an investigation opened by the Attorney General’s Office for alleged trafficking of drugs, weapons, and fuel
The measure comes amid the scandal sparked by the legal proceedings faced by two of the owners of the beauty pageant and the controversy surrounding the latest Miss Universe edition following allegations of manipulation by one of the judges.
The UIF —which reports to the Finance Ministry— froze Rocha Cantú’s bank accounts in Mexico, a federal official confirmed to The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the process.
Last week, the Attorney General’s Office reported that since November of last year it had an open investigation into Rocha Cantú for organized crime related to drug trafficking, fuel theft —known locally as huachicol— and arms trafficking.
Last month, a federal judge issued 13 arrest warrants against some of those involved in the case, including Rocha Cantú.
The local newspaper Reforma reported that the businessman requested a benefit from the Public Prosecutor’s Office in November that would allow him to act as a cooperating witness in the case. The Prosecutor’s Office has not confirmed this.
Rocha Cantú was also involved in the controversial Casino Royale case in the northern city of Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo León, which suffered an attack in August 2011 that killed 52 people. The casino was operated by CYMSA Corporation and Entertainment Enterprises of Mexico, companies in which Rocha Cantú was a partner.
Baltazar Saucedo Estrada, considered the mastermind behind the casino attack, was sentenced to 135 years in prison last July for the case.
A court in Thailand issued an arrest warrant in late November against Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization.
Jakrajutatip was charged with fraud and later released on bail in 2023. She failed to appear as required in a Bangkok court, so there was deemed to be a flight risk, according to a statement from the Bangkok Southern District Court.
The co-owner of Miss Universe and her company, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., were sued for allegedly defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol by selling her corporate bonds from the company in 2023. Raweewat claims the investment caused her a loss of 30 million baht ($930,362).
JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022. In 2023, it sold 50% of its Miss Universe shares to Legacy Holding Group USA, owned by Rocha Cantú
The latest Miss Universe pageant was marred by controversy following a scathing reprimand from a Thai organizer to Mexican Fátima Bosch, who was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on November 19. Two judges also withdrew from the competition, with one suggesting manipulation.
Thai police investigated allegations that the event’s advertising included illegal promotion of online casinos.
