Cambodia has confirmed the arrest and extradition of Chinese-born businessman Chen Zhi, accused of running one of Asia’s largest cyberscam networks from Phnom Penh. The move marks a dramatic turn in a case that has drawn international scrutiny and placed Cambodia at the centre of a global crackdown on online fraud.

Chen, 37, was detained alongside two associates, Xu Ji Liang and Shao Ji Hui, before being handed over to Chinese authorities this week. Cambodia’s interior ministry said the operation followed months of joint investigative work with Beijing and was carried out “within the scope of cooperation in combating transnational crime.” His Cambodian citizenship was revoked in December by royal decree.

The United States indicted Chen last October on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, alleging he oversaw compounds across Cambodia where trafficked workers were forced to run cryptocurrency scams. Victims worldwide were targeted through “pig butchering” schemes, with billions of dollars siphoned off. Washington claims more than 127,000 bitcoin – worth over $11 billion – was seized in the investigation.

Authorities in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan have also frozen or confiscated assets linked to Chen’s Prince Holding Group, a conglomerate with real estate and banking ventures worth over $2 billion in Cambodia. Despite the allegations, Prince Group has denied wrongdoing, portraying Chen as a philanthropist and respected entrepreneur.

Chen’s arrest is significant for Cambodia, which has faced mounting pressure to clamp down on criminal networks operating within its borders. The case highlights the country’s role as a hub for illicit online operations, even as it seeks to attract foreign investment and project an image of stability.

For now, Chen’s fate lies with Chinese authorities, who have yet to comment publicly. But Cambodia’s decisive action in extraditing him underscores its growing cooperation with international partners in tackling transnational crime.

-2026-01-08

May he suffer as much as possible in a Chinese jail.

Better late than never, well done.