After being deported from Cambodia and escorted back to China, businessman Chen Zhi - founder of Prince Group - is facing a large-scale criminal investigation campaign.
Chinese authorities said they would soon issue an arrest warrant for the first group of key figures in the Chen Zhi-related criminal network, and are determined to hunt down and arrest all remaining suspects.
The Chinese Ministry of Public Security confirmed that Chen Zhi was taken from Phnom Penh to China on a China Southern flight from January 6, 2026.
The video released by this agency shows Chen Zhi being handcuffed, blackheaded, then removed when escorted off the plane, with armed security forces waiting on the runway. Beijing described this as a "great achievement" in China-Cambodia law enforcement cooperation, especially in the fight against cross-border crime.
According to Chinese authorities, Chen Zhi is accused of being the central figure in a transnational crime network, related to online gambling, telecommunications fraud and organized crime activities targeting Chinese citizens from outside the territory. Bringing Chen Zhi back to the country is considered the starting step for the next sweep phase, in which the focus is on expanding the investigation, dismantling the network and tracking down the remaining links.
Chinese officials have not yet announced the specific charges that Chen Zhi will face, but emphasized that the investigation process will be conducted in accordance with Chinese law, with the coordination of relevant law enforcement agencies.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said that functional agencies will provide more information when "ready to issue official announcements", and called on the public to follow official announcement channels.
Ms. Mao Ning affirmed that China is ready to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with neighboring countries, including Cambodia, to protect the lives and property of its people, as well as maintain order in regional exchange and cooperation activities. According to her, fighting online gambling, telecommunications fraud and related crimes is the common responsibility of the international community.
In parallel with developments in China, Cambodia also has strong moves related to Chen Zhi's business ecosystem. The National Bank of Cambodia has put Prince Bank Plc under liquidation, banned all banking activities and appointed an asset management unit under the country's law, affirming that the rights of depositors are still guaranteed.
In the near future, Chen Zhi is likely to continue to be questioned and expanded investigation in China, in the context that arrest warrants for accomplices are expected to be issued soon, marking the next phase of Beijing's cross-border crime crackdown campaign.
