Why Cambodia gave up alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi to China

Alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi was arrested in Cambodia on Jan 6 and extradited to China the following day.

PHOTO: AFP

Philip Wen

Cambodia extradited Chen Zhi to China, influenced by border conflict with Thailand and pressure from China regarding online scams.
Chen's extradition, following US/UK sanctions, aims to deflect Western scrutiny and maintain Chinese support amid domestic and regional pressures.
Cambodia faces economic challenges and reputational damage from scams, needing reforms and international pressure for meaningful change, observers say.

AI generated

SIEM REAP – Cambodia’s

extradition of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi to China

reflects the extent to which Phnom Penh finds itself backed into a corner. The protracted pummelling Cambodia has suffered in its recent border conflict with neighbouring Thailand serves to highlight the diplomatic repercussions for harbouring extensive transnational online fraud syndicates.

The 38-year-old Fujian-born businessman, who has

extensive interests spanning real estate, consumer services and financial services

through his Phnom Penh-based Prince Group, was arrested on Jan 6. Chen, who was naturalised as a Cambodian citizen in 2014, was extradited to China the following day, in response to a request from Beijing.

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