Cambodia extradites Prince Group chairman to China amid expanding transnational crime probe |
The extradition of Chen Zhi, chairman of Cambodia-based Prince Group, to China marks a significant escalation in regional and global efforts to combat transnational crime networks linked to online fraud, human trafficking, and money laundering. Cambodian authorities confirmed this week that Chen, whose sprawling conglomerate has been accused by Western governments of operating as a “transnational criminal organization,” was arrested and swiftly transferred to Chinese custody following months of joint investigations between Phnom Penh and Beijing.
Chen Zhi was detained on January 6 alongside two other individuals, according to a statement from Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior. The ministry said the arrests were the result of “several months of joint investigative cooperation” with Chinese law enforcement agencies. In a striking move underscoring the political sensitivity of the case, Cambodian authorities also revoked Chen’s citizenship prior to his extradition, clearing a key legal obstacle that might otherwise have delayed or prevented his transfer.
The case against Chen has been building for months. On October 14, both the US Treasury Department and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office announced sweeping sanctions against Chen and a network of associates tied to Prince Group. The coordinated action accused the conglomerate of being deeply involved in large-scale online scam operations and human trafficking schemes, particularly those targeting victims across Asia and beyond. The sanctions froze assets under US and UK jurisdiction and barred sanctioned individuals from conducting business within those financial systems.
On the same day the sanctions were announced, the US Department of Justice unsealed an........