(Image from AFP PHOTO / CHINA'S MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY)
Chinese authorities have confirmed that Chen Zhi, the mastermind behind a scam center in Cambodia, has been extradited to China, and that they plan to issue arrest warrants for other key individuals in Chen's group.
On Thursday, 8 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Beijing authorities confirmed that Chen Zhi, a former billionaire accused of leading a large online scam operation in Cambodia, had been extradited from Cambodia to China. He was previously charged in the United States with fraud worth billions of dollars.
China's state broadcaster aired footage showing Chen being escorted off a plane by armed police after his transfer from Cambodia. On the same day, Cambodian authorities ordered the liquidation (closure) of Prince Bank, which Chen founded, due to its links with a large call center gang network.
Chen, chairman of Prince Holding Group, which the US says was a front for the billion-dollar online fraud operation, appeared handcuffed and hooded as armed officers in black suits detained him at Beijing airport.
China's CCTV government channel described Chen as the leader of a major transnational criminal organization involved in gambling and fraud. It remains unclear what charges Chen will face. Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said authorities are cooperating to crack down on transnational telecom fraud.
"China welcomes strengthening law enforcement cooperation with neighboring countries, including Cambodia, to protect the safety of people's lives and property," said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a daily press briefing.
China's Ministry of Public Security said Chen's arrest marked a major success in law enforcement cooperation between China and Cambodia.
Chinese authorities also stated in a release that they will issue arrest warrants for the first key members of Chen Zhi's criminal organization and aim to apprehend all fugitives.
It remains unclear what charges Chen will face in China, but Chinese courts have previously sentenced individuals involved in call center gangs to death. Last year, more than 10 suspects were convicted for involvement with criminal groups operating in Myanmar's Kokang border area.
Jacob Daniel Sims, an expert on transnational crime and visiting scholar at Harvard University's Asia Center, said dozens of fraud operations in Cambodia are "mostly" run with "strong support" from the government.
"This arrest comes after months of pressure on the Cambodian government because Cambodia continues to shelter and support this notorious major criminal," Sims told AFP. He added that change will only happen with sustained international pressure on the "elite class that profits from corruption and is complicit with criminals" in Cambodia.
However, Cambodian officials deny government involvement and state that authorities are conducting a strict crackdown.
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Source:cna