Poker Writer
Cambodian government officials stated that they had captured Chen Zhi, the notorious Chinese kingpin accused of heading an elaborate online scam operation spanning Southeast Asia. The interior ministry of Cambodia announced the capture of Chen and two other Chinese citizens before they were extradited back to China to face punishment.
Chen arrived in China on Thursday with video footage showing his arrival at Beijing airport, where Chinese SWAT team officers escorted him on the tarmac.
Who is Chen Zhi?
The 38-year-old Chairman of the Prince Holding Group held dual nationality before his Cambodia revoked his citizenship in December. Prosecutors from the United States indicted Chen in October with conspiracy charges that he masterminded a multinational cyberfraud network.
Chen is a wealthy businessman as Prince Group is one of Cambodia’s biggest conglomerates. He founded the group when he was 27 years old. It invests in luxury real estate, banking services, hotels and major construction developments. Prince Group operates in as many as 30 countries. Chen’s net worth is rumored to exceed a billion dollars.
The tycoon was born in 1987 in Fujian Province in Southern China. He began his business career as a young man in Fuzhou establishing internet cafes and gaming centers. He became a Cambodian citizen in 2014 after he donated $500,000 to the state which gave him a special title in Cambodia meaning ‘tycoon’.
Chen also holds citizenship in Vanuati, St. Lucia and Cyprus.
Big Step in Battle Against International Scam
Authorities of multiple countries in Southeast Asia began to ramp up the crackdown on these scam centers which have long plagued the region. One of the more prominent ones was KK Park in Myanmar, which Myanmar authorities razed in the latter part of 2025.
The surprise arrest of Chen stemmed from a months-long joint investigation with authorities from multiple countries. The investigation came with substantial help from China who appears to be stepping up its efforts to reign in Chinese expats involved in cyberfraud.
Mao Ning, the ministry spokesperson for China released a statement following Chen’s arrest:
China is willing to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with neighboring countries, including Cambodia, to safeguard the safety of people’s lives and property.
Cambodia’s central bank liquidated Prince Group, Chen’s lender, which he founded after his extradition. The Prince Group denied allegations of criminal activity within its organization, despite its association with Chen.
Authorities did not reveal the exact charges against Chen at the time of his extradition.
Image credit: liveandletsfly.com (license)
