China has extradited a suspected fraud kingpin from Cambodia to face charges for leading a multibillion-dollar criminal syndicate, marking a major blow to international scam operations.

BEIJING, April 1 — Chinese state media reported today the extradition of a China-born suspected scam boss from Cambodia, linking him to a multibillion-dollar cybercrime network allegedly operating out of Southeast Asia.

State broadcaster CCTV identified the suspect as Li Xiong, the former chairman of Huione Group under the Prince Group. The report labeled Li a "core member" of a criminal syndicate led by Chen Zhi.

Chen, the founder of Prince Group, was previously extradited from Cambodia to China in January. Both men are Chinese-born and had their Cambodian citizenship revoked prior to their transfer to Chinese authorities.

Before his downfall, Chen served as a high-level adviser to both the current Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Manet, and his father, former leader Hun Sen, highlighting the syndicate's deep-rooted regional influence.

CCTV confirmed that Li is currently facing "coercive measures" under Chinese law as the investigation continues. Authorities are focusing on his role in organized crime and large-scale financial fraud.

Organized gangs in Southeast Asia frequently utilize casinos and hotels as hubs for global online scams. These operations often involve cryptocurrency schemes and human trafficking, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

Rights monitors estimate that Cambodia remains a major host for these scam centers, where tens of thousands of individuals are forced or recruited to perpetrate digital fraud against victims worldwide.

In May, the US Treasury designated Huione Group a "primary money-laundering concern," alleging the firm facilitated over US$4 billion in illicit transactions between mid-2021 and early 2025. — AFP