How a Chinese actor's kidnapping triggered the dismantling of a $75 billion criminal industry
How a Chinese actor's kidnapping triggered the dismantling of a $75 billion criminal industry
Overview
For five years, Southeast Asia's scam compounds operated with near-impunity, generating an estimated $75 billion while trafficking hundreds of thousands of workers into forced labor. Then a Chinese actor got kidnapped in January 2025, and Beijing decided it had seen enough. Within twelve months, China has extradited scam kingpins from Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar, sentenced crime family leaders to death, and pressured regional governments into coordinated enforcement—transforming what was tolerated as a regional nuisance into an existential threat for the criminal networks.
Chen Zhi's extradition to China on January 7, 2026 marks the highest-profile arrest yet. The founder of Cambodia's Prince Group—which US prosecutors allege operated at least ten forced labor camps running cryptocurrency fraud schemes—was handed to Chinese authorities despite active US warrants. Beijing is now calling on his associates to surrender by February 15 for lighter sentences. The question is whether this crackdown eliminates the industry or simply scatters it to more remote locations.
Cambodian conglomerate allegedly operating as an umbrella for 100+ shell companies spanning 12 countries, now designated a transnational criminal organization by the US Treasury.
US
US Department of the Treasury – OFAC
Federal Agency
Status: Leading international sanctions effort
The Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed the largest-ever sanctions against a Southeast Asian cybercrime network in October 2025.
CH
China Ministry of Public Security
Government Agency
Status: Leading regional extradition campaign
China's national police agency coordinating the crackdown on scam centers across Southeast Asia and processing mass repatriations.
Timeline
China calls on Chen Zhi associates to surrender
Enforcement
China's Ministry of Public Security offers lighter sentences to associates who surrender by February 15. Mass flight from Sihanoukville scam compounds follows Chen's arrest.
Chen Zhi extradited to China
Extradition
Cambodia hands Chen Zhi to Chinese authorities rather than the US, which had active warrants. Chinese state media broadcasts footage of handcuffed Chen being escorted from aircraft.
Chen Zhi arrested in Cambodia
Arrest
Cambodian authorities arrest Chen Zhi and two other Chinese nationals after months of joint investigation with China.
Cambodia revokes Chen Zhi's citizenship
Legal
Cambodia strips Chen Zhi of citizenship acquired years earlier, clearing a legal obstacle to his extradition.
Thailand extradites She Zhijiang to China
Extradition
After three years of legal battles, Thailand hands over Shwe Kokko developer She Zhijiang to Chinese authorities. His $15 billion 'resort city' housed major scam operations.
Bai family leaders sentenced to death
Legal
Chinese court sentences five members of Myanmar's Bai crime group, including patriarch Bai Suocheng and his son, to death for scam operations.
US and UK impose record sanctions on Prince Group
Sanctions
US Treasury sanctions 146 targets within Prince Group, designating it a transnational criminal organization. DOJ seizes $15 billion in bitcoin—the largest forfeiture in department history.
Prince Bank faces mass withdrawals
Financial
Cambodian customers rush to withdraw savings from Prince Bank after sanctions announcement. Some branches halt transactions due to insufficient liquidity.
Myanmar's Ming family sentenced to death in China
Legal
Chinese court sentences 11 members of the Ming crime family to death for running billion-dollar scam and gambling operations in Myanmar's Kokang region.
China deploys police to Thai-Myanmar border
Enforcement
China's assistant minister of public security crosses into Myanmar—the first foreign official allowed since the 2021 coup. Over 7,000 workers await repatriation.
Wang Xing rescued after massive public pressure
Rescue
Thai police locate and rescue Wang Xing within three days. His swift recovery—while thousands remain trapped—sparks public outrage in China.
Chinese actor Wang Xing kidnapped to Myanmar
Incident
Actor Wang Xing is lured to Thailand with a fake job offer and trafficked to a Myanmar scam compound. His girlfriend's social media campaign forces government response.
Myanmar begins mass deportations to China
Enforcement
Myanmar's junta begins deporting Chinese nationals suspected of scam involvement. Over 53,000 will be repatriated by early 2026.
UN estimates 220,000 trafficked into scam centers
Report
UN Human Rights Office estimates 220,000 people from dozens of countries are held as forced laborers in Cambodia and Myanmar scam centers.
COVID-19 accelerates scam industry growth
Turning Point
Pandemic border closures devastate legitimate casino tourism. Empty casino floors and dormitories become scam operation centers.
Cambodia bans online gambling
Policy
Under Chinese pressure, Hun Sen bans online gambling. Around 200,000 Chinese nationals leave Cambodia. Casinos pivot to hosting scam operations.
China requests Chen Zhi's arrest
Investigation
Chinese authorities present evidence and request Cambodia arrest Chen Zhi. Prime Minister Hun Sen refuses.
Chinese criminal groups relocate to Southeast Asia
Origin
China's organized crime crackdowns push criminal networks into Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. Sihanoukville transforms into a casino boomtown with massive Chinese investment.
Scenarios
1
Scam Industry Scatters to Remote Locations
Discussed by: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, UNODC analysts
The crackdown displaces rather than eliminates the industry. Operations relocate from border zones to remote areas of Shan and Karen states with satellite internet and solar power, or expand to new countries like Laos and the Philippines. The Global Initiative notes scam syndicates have already built new hubs 100-200 km from monitored borders. Revenue may temporarily dip before recovering.
2
Cambodia Completes Clean Break From Scam Industry
Discussed by: US State Department, Foreign Policy analysts
Under sustained international pressure, Cambodia's government prosecutes mid-level operators, not just Chen Zhi. Prince Bank liquidation and property freezes cascade through the legitimate economy, forcing a genuine restructuring. Hun Manet distances from his father's business networks to preserve Western relations and investment.
3
China Uses Crackdown to Expand Regional Police Influence
Discussed by: United States Institute of Peace, human rights organizations
China leverages public safety concerns to establish permanent police presence in Thailand and Myanmar. Joint law enforcement centers become platforms for pursuing political targets, including Uyghur refugees. Regional governments accept expanded Chinese security cooperation in exchange for help with the scam problem.
4
US Pursues Chen Zhi Extradition From China
Discussed by: Legal analysts, DOJ watchers
The US presses for Chen Zhi's transfer to face Brooklyn charges, citing the $15 billion seizure and American victims. China refuses, keeping a politically sensitive case out of US courts. The standoff becomes another friction point in US-China relations, with no resolution likely given absent extradition treaty.
Historical Context
Pablo Escobar's Negotiated Surrender (1991)
June 1991
What Happened
Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, who controlled 80% of the global cocaine trade, surrendered to authorities after negotiating remarkable terms: a custom-built prison he designed himself, guards he selected, and a constitutional ban on extradition to the United States. The Colombian Constituent Assembly voted 51-13 to prohibit extradition the same day Escobar turned himself in.
Outcome
Short Term
Escobar continued running his operation from 'La Catedral' prison, which featured a football pitch, bar, and waterfall. He escaped in 1992 when authorities tried to transfer him.
Long Term
The failed arrangement showed that negotiated surrenders without genuine enforcement can simply legitimize criminal operations. Escobar was killed by Colombian forces in 1993.
Why It's Relevant Today
China's offer of lighter sentences for Chen Zhi associates who surrender echoes these negotiated terms. The key difference: China has demonstrated willingness to execute scam kingpins, having already sentenced members of three Myanmar crime families to death.
Dismantling of Medellín and Cali Cartels (1993-1996)
1993-1996
What Happened
After Escobar's death in 1993, Colombian and US authorities systematically dismantled the Medellín Cartel. The Cali Cartel, which had helped hunt Escobar, was itself destroyed by 1996 through arrests of its leadership. The two organizations had controlled the majority of global cocaine trafficking.
Outcome
Short Term
Cocaine prices spiked temporarily as supply chains were disrupted.
Long Term
Rather than ending the drug trade, the crackdown fragmented it. Mexican organizations that had served as intermediaries evolved into dominant cartels. The industry dispersed rather than disappeared.
Why It's Relevant Today
The parallel suggests Southeast Asian scam operations may similarly fragment rather than collapse. Analysts already observe operators relocating to remote areas with satellite connectivity, beyond current enforcement reach.
China's 2018 Organized Crime Crackdown
2018-2020
What Happened
The Chinese Communist Party launched a three-year campaign against organized crime and 'black and evil forces.' Police arrested over 300,000 suspects, dismantled thousands of criminal gangs, and seized billions in assets. The campaign specifically targeted criminal organizations with political protection.
Outcome
Short Term
Domestic organized crime networks were significantly disrupted.
Long Term
Criminal groups relocated operations to Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. The campaign that cleaned up China created the conditions for the scam center explosion abroad.
Why It's Relevant Today
This history explains both why scam centers proliferated in Southeast Asia and why China now has strong political incentive to pursue them there—the current crisis is partly blowback from Beijing's earlier success.
