China brings back alleged gambling, fraud kingpin from Cambodia

Chen Zhi, a Chinese national identified as the ringleader of a major cross-border gambling and fraud syndicate, was escorted back to China from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Wednesday by a Chinese working group, the Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday.

Investigators said Chen's syndicate is suspected of multiple crimes, including operating illegal gambling operations, committing fraud, engaging in illegal business activities and concealing criminal proceeds. Chen has been placed under compulsory measures, and the case remains under further investigation.

A ministry official said public security authorities will soon issue a wanted notice for the first batch of core members of Chen's syndicate and vowed to bring all fugitives to justice. Other suspects involved in the case were urged to surrender voluntarily in exchange for lenient treatment.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news conference on Thursday that combating online gambling and telecom fraud is a shared international responsibility. She said China has strengthened law enforcement cooperation with Cambodia and other countries to crack down on cross-border telecom fraud, yielding notable results.

Mao added that China stands ready to further intensify law enforcement cooperation with neighboring countries, including Cambodia.