Cambodia says Chen Zhi illegally obtained nationality before extradition to China

Cambodia has revealed that an investigation found businessman Chen Zhi illegally obtained Cambodian nationality, a finding that led authorities to revoke his citizenship and extradite him to China.

In an interview with Reuters, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said investigators determined that Chen’s nationality was not legally acquired and that he remained a Chinese national.

Prak Sokhonn said the government therefore decided to extradite Chen to China in accordance with Cambodian law and bilateral cooperation mechanisms, according to Reuters.

Chen was arrested and repatriated to China in a joint operation carried out on 6 January 2026, Prak Sokhonn said.

His Cambodian nationality had already been stripped in December 2025, in line with the Nationality Law, following the conclusion of the investigation.

Speaking on 14 January 2026, Prak Sokhonn said Cambodia maintained “very close cooperation” on transnational crime with partners including the United States, China, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand.

He said Chen’s arrest reflected a long-running investigation and demonstrated Cambodia’s commitment to combating online scams and related crimes.

“The fact that Chen Zhi was arrested and extradited to China is just reflecting this firm commitment of Cambodia to combat the crime,” Prak Sokhonn told Reuters.

“And it’s not the end of the combat,” he added, signalling continued enforcement efforts.

Chen has been accused by international authorities of orchestrating a large-scale transnational cyberfraud network involving online scams and the laundering of stolen funds.

On 14 October 2025, he was sanctioned by both Washington and London over alleged involvement in global cyberfraud operations, according to previous official statements.

The US Justice Department later announced the seizure of approximately US$15 billion worth of Bitcoin linked to Prince Holding Group, describing it as part of the “largest financial fraud in history”.

Chen is the founder and chairman of Prince Holding Group, also known as Prince Group, which has operated widely in Cambodia.

Founded in 2015, Prince Group has business interests spanning real estate, hospitality, banking and e-commerce.

Since Chen’s arrest, several of the group’s projects have faced disruption.

Sales were suspended at multiple developments following a public order issued by the Real Estate Business and Pawnshop Regulator on 12 January.

Affected projects included Prince Happiness Plaza, also known as The Pinnacle Residence, Prince Golden Bay Condominium, Prince Huan Yu Center Condominium, Prince One Tropica Residential Project and Phum Samrong Residential Project.

Prak Sokhonn told Reuters that Cambodia has consistently sought to crack down on transnational crimes, particularly those involving new technologies such as online scam organisations.

Cambodia launches nationwide crackdown on online scams as suspected fraud hubs empty out

In mid-January, Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed that tackling crime and digital threats remains a primary national priority.

He said cybercrime poses a “serious danger to society” and represents a “complex threat” faced by countries worldwide.

Cambodia has previously announced nationwide crackdowns on illegal gambling and related cybercrime.

These efforts led to large-scale departures from suspected scam compounds in Sihanoukville and several other cities.

Cambodia has been identified by international observers as a major hub in Southeast Asia’s transnational cyberfraud industry.

Background of Transnational Scam Operations

Such operations have targeted victims worldwide through online romance scams, fake investment schemes and cryptocurrency fraud.

While early scams primarily targeted Chinese-speaking victims, criminal groups have since expanded operations into multiple languages and regions.

International organisations estimate that global losses from online scams reached up to US$37 billion in 2023.

They also estimate that at least 100,000 people may be working in scam operations in Cambodia alone.

Reports suggest that some individuals involved are willing participants, while others are foreign nationals allegedly trafficked and forced to work under threats of violence.

Cambodian authorities say recent enforcement actions have produced tangible results.

The country’s anti-scam commission said it raided 118 scam locations and arrested around 5,000 people over the past six months.

However, some observers have noted that movements out of suspected scam compounds appeared to occur before authorities arrived.

These observations have raised questions about the timing and overall effectiveness of enforcement operations.

Arrest of alleged scam kingpin accelerates regional crackdown

Following Chen’s deportation, Chinese authorities labelled him the “ringleader of a major cross-border gambling and fraud syndicate”.

Beijing urged his associates to surrender voluntarily.

China’s Ministry of Public Security said fugitives who turn themselves in before 15 February and “truthfully confess their crimes” could receive lighter or reduced sentences.

It warned that those who refuse to cooperate would face an “all-out” pursuit.