Cambodia Arrests, Extradites Three Chinese Nationals at China’s Request

PHNOM PENH, Jan.08,2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s Interior Ministry said Wednesday it arrested and extradited three Chinese nationals to China at Beijing’s request, including tycoon Chen Zhi, as part of joint efforts to combat transnational crime.

The ministry said Chen, along with Xu Ji Liang and Shao Ji Hui, was detained Jan. 6 following months of investigations between Cambodian and Chinese law enforcement agencies. It confirmed Chen’s Cambodian nationality had been revoked by royal decree in December in line with nationality law.

Chen, 37, was indicted by U.S. prosecutors in October on fraud and money-laundering charges, accused of running internet scams from Cambodia that allegedly stole billions in cryptocurrency.

The U.S. Treasury Department said it seized about $14 billion worth of bitcoin linked to him, calling it one of the largest financial takedowns in history. The United Kingdom also sanctioned his Prince Group business empire.

Cambodian authorities did not disclose where Chen was detained before extradition. He had renounced his Chinese nationality in 2014 to become a Cambodian citizen.

Victims are often Chinese nationals targeting people in China. Chinese authorities have been investigating the Prince Group since at least 2020. The Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau described it as “a major transnational online gambling syndicate based in Cambodia.”