Content Writer: Janice Chew • Thursday, 26/01/2026 - 23:33:57 - PM
Chen Zhi, the controversial head of Cambodia’s Prince Group and accused architect of one of Asia’s largest online scam networks, has been arrested in Cambodia and extradited to China following months of transnational law-enforcement cooperation. Cambodian authorities, acting on China’s request, apprehended Chen and two other Chinese nationals in January 2026, revoked his Cambodian citizenship, and transferred them into Chinese custody amid mounting international pressure to crack down on widespread scam operations allegedly linked to his enterprises.
Prince Holding Group, founded and chaired by Chen, was once regarded as a major conglomerate with ventures in real estate, financial services and consumer sectors, including Prince Bank and Cambodia Airways. However, U.S. and UK sanctions levied in October 2025 accused Chen and his group of operating forced-labour scam centers and cyberfraud schemes, including cryptocurrency investment and “pig butchering” frauds that targeted victims worldwide. The U.S. Department of Justice charged him with wire-fraud and money-laundering conspiracies and filed a civil forfeiture action against tens of thousands of seized bitcoins linked to the alleged scams.
In parallel with the extradition, Cambodian authorities have taken action against financial institutions tied to Chen’s empire, ordering the liquidation of Prince Bank and suspending its operations as part of efforts to dismantle components of the alleged criminal infrastructure. China’s Ministry of Public Security has also signaled ongoing investigations, including plans to issue arrest warrants for other key members of Chen’s network as part of enhanced regional cooperation against cross-border fraud crimes.
The case underscores escalating diplomatic and enforcement dynamics as nations confront sophisticated transnational scam syndicates. While Chen and the Prince Group continue to deny wrongdoing, global authorities have frozen assets and pursued legal action across multiple jurisdictions, reflecting a concerted international effort to disrupt large-scale online scam operations and hold alleged leaders accountable in the face of complex cybercrime challenges.
