Cambodian Prince Group founder Chen Zhi, who was extradited to China in January this year, was approved for arrest by the Chinese authorities on July 6 after six months.
According to Caixin Online, Chen Zhi was accused of copyright infringement, fraud, running illegal gambling operations, intentional harm, and illegal business activities. As of July 6, he was approved for arrest with fewer charges related to hiding criminal proceeds compared to when he was extradited back to China, but additional charges of copyright infringement and intentional harm were added.
Chen Zhi, 38 years old, originally from a fishing village in Fujian, changed to Cambodian nationality after moving to Southeast Asia over a decade ago. He founded the Cambodian Prince Group and within a few short years, he built a global telecommunications fraud network centered around the “Golden Bay Park,” with an estimated net worth of billions of US dollars.
On October 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice officially filed criminal charges against Chen Zhi in a federal court in New York, including telecommunications fraud and conspiracy to launder money.
According to Sheng Xue, a Canadian Chinese writer and human rights activist, telecommunications fraud and “boiler room” scams were just side projects for Chen Zhi; his main business was money laundering for the privileged class. As a trusted agent for Qi Qiaoqiao, Chen Zhi had direct access to the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Xi Jinping’s base in Shenzhen, the Shenzhen Guesthouse.
Furthermore, according to former Chinese special agent Eric, the Prince Group established by Chen Zhi is one of the most important agents for the Chinese government to conduct secret activities in Cambodia and even throughout Southeast Asia. The Prince Group provides comprehensive support to Chinese overseas operations, from funding, manpower to transportation tools. Chen Zhi’s enterprises essentially serve as a treasury and logistics base for the espionage system.
After the U.S. filed criminal charges against Chen Zhi, he was extradited back to China in January this year. In April, Li Xiong, former chairman of the Huiwang Group under the Prince Group, was also extradited back to China. In June, Liu Ren, former president of the Cambodian Chinese Chamber of Commerce, was also brought back to China.