Cambodian authorities arrested and extradited Chen Zhi, founder of the Prince Group, to China amid global probes into large scale crypto and online scam operations. Chinese state media released footage of Chen being escorted off a plane, and Chinese authorities said they will investigate and pursue key members of the alleged transnational fraud network.

Chinese authorities took custody of Chen Zhi after Cambodian officials arrested and handed him over to Beijing, following long running investigations into transnational 'pig butchering' crypto and online investment scams linked to enterprises in Southeast Asia. State media released footage showing Chen hooded and handcuffed after arrival, and Chinese prosecutors said the extradition will be followed by criminal inquiries and actions targeting alleged associates and the corporate infrastructure tied to the Prince Group. Chen is a U.S. indicted suspect accused of orchestrating large scale romance and investment fraud that allegedly used scam compounds to traffic workers, run confidence operations and launder cryptocurrency proceeds. The extradition comes amid coordinated asset freezes and international requests for cooperation from the United States, United Kingdom and other jurisdictions. Officials said forensic accounting and cross border investigative work will intensify to identify beneficial owners, recover assets and dismantle networks that allegedly facilitated communications, money movement and laundering of illicit proceeds.