Cambodia has extradited billionaire businessman Chen Zhi to China, who was accused of masterminding a vast cryptocurrency scam that exploited trafficked workers for forced labor. This extradition follows his arrest on January 6, where he was detained alongside two other Chinese nationals as part of a joint investigation into transnational crime.
Chen, 37, was charged by the US in October 2023 for running internet scams out of Cambodia that allegedly stole billions in cryptocurrency. The US Treasury Department claims to have seized approximately $14 billion worth of bitcoin connected to him. Following these allegations, the UK also imposed sanctions on his global business empire, Prince Group.
US authorities described this operation as one of the biggest financial takedowns in history, marking the largest seizure of bitcoin ever. The Prince Group has previously denied any involvement in scams, focusing instead on its legitimate business interests in property development and consumer services.
After Chen's indictment, his precise location was unknown until Cambodian authorities confirmed his arrest and subsequent extradition to China. His Cambodian nationality had been revoked last month, having previously become a citizen in 2014.
Reportedly, scam operations in Southeast Asia have lured hundreds of thousands of individuals under false job pretenses, often leading to hostage situations where workers are forced to perpetrate online scams under threat of violence. Chinese authorities have been investigating the Prince Group since 2020, identifying it as a major player in transnational online gambling schemes.
This extradition marks a significant step in addressing the rampant issue of online fraud and human trafficking in the region, an epidemic exacerbated by the rapid growth of cryptocurrency.
