Alleged Cambodian scam kingpin shown being hauled back to China under hood & handcuffed

Chinese media recently released footage of Cambodian businessman and chairman of Cambodia-based conglomerate Prince Holding Group, Chen Zhi, being extradited to China.

China and Cambodian media outlets had earlier reported that he was arrested in Cambodia.

The video, released by Cambodia-China Times, shows Chen on a China Southern flight being escorted out by guards.

He is seen wearing a hood as he exits the plane, before it is yanked off his head.

One shot also purportedly shows another prisoner on a plane.

According to The Guardian, it is not clear what charges Chen is currently going to face.

However, they called this "surprise arrest" of Chen "the biggest step yet" in efforts by many countries to crack down on compounds in Southeast Asia that house tens of thousands of workers, many being trafficked victims.

Chen was allegedly involved in large-scale fraud, money laundering, and other transnational crimes involving more than US$10 billion (S$12 billion).

Chen, who renounced his Chinese citizenship and became a Cambodian citizen in 2014, was also charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with running scam compounds in Cambodia that defrauded victims worldwide of billions in cryptocurrency.

In October 2025, the Singapore Police Force seized over S$150 million in assets tied to Chen and his company, Prince Holding Group, in relation to money laundering and forgery offences.

They seized and issued prohibition of disposal orders against six properties and various financial assets, including bank accounts, securities accounts and cash, SPF said in a press release on Oct. 31.

Image from Cambodia China Times via Jacob In Cambodia/X