PHNOM PENH — In a major blow to Southeast Asia’s trans-border crime networks, Cambodian authorities have confirmed the arrest and extradition of Chen Zhi, the elusive chairman of the Prince Group, to China.
Accused of being a key architect behind a global network of “pig butchering” scams and human trafficking, Chen Zhi’s handover on January 6, 2026, marks the end of a months-long international investigation involving multiple intelligence agencies.
Stripped of Citizenship
Chen Zhi, 37, originally from southeastern China, had renounced his Chinese citizenship in 2014 to become a naturalized Cambodian citizen. However, in a strategic move to facilitate his extradition, the Cambodian government officially revoked his citizenship last month. Along with Chen, three other Chinese nationals—identified as Xu Jie-lian and Liu Jie-hu—were also handed over to Beijing.
A Multi-Billion Dollar Criminal Web
The extradition follows mounting pressure from Western powers. In October 2025, the United States filed charges against Chen for orchestrating massive financial fraud originating from Cambodian “scam factories.”
- Bitcoin Seizures: The U.S. government previously seized approximately $14 billion in digital assets linked to Chen’s operations.
- UK Sanctions: The United Kingdom also blacklisted his business conglomerate, the Prince Group, citing its links to organized crime and forced labor.
The Prince Group: The Center of the “Pig Butchering” Empire
Chinese authorities have been quietly monitoring the Prince Group since 2020. Beijing’s Bureau of Public Security established a specialized task force which characterized the group as the “central hub” of transnational cyber-fraud in Cambodia.
The UN estimates that hundreds of thousands of individuals have been trafficked into these operations, forced under the threat of torture to defraud victims worldwide—primarily targeting Chinese nationals.
Geopolitical Cooperation
While Cambodian Interior Ministry officials declined to disclose the specific location where Chen was detained prior to his transfer, the move is seen as a significant win for Beijing’s “Operation Fox Hunt.” It signals a tightening of the net around high-profile fugitives who have long operated with perceived impunity in the region.
The extradition of Chen Zhi sends a clear message to the operators of remaining “scam compounds” across Southeast Asia: the days of sanctuary through dual citizenship and high-level business fronts may be coming to an end.
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