A Cambodian and Chinese police joint task force arrested Chinese citizen Li Xiong, who until recently also Cambodian citizenship. Li was one of the owners of the now-defunct Huione Group, which was allegedly involving in online scams and money laundering operations on a massive scale.
According to the Ministry of Interior, Li was deported on April 1, following the removal of his Cambodian citizenship.
The arrest and deportation were carried out within the framework of cooperation to combat and crack down on technology-based fraud and based on a request from Chinese authorities.
“This operation was conducted following a joint investigative cooperation between the authorities of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the authorities of the People’s Republic of China that spanned several months. Li Xiong’s Cambodian citizenship was revoked via a March 31 Royal Decree,” explained the interior ministry.
Li is reportedly a key member of the criminal syndicate run by Prince Group founder Chen Zhi, who was arrested and deported to China in January.
According to China Daily, Li is suspected of running casinos, fraud, illegal business operations and concealing criminal proceeds, with Chen heading the cross-border gambling and fraud group.
The outlet also quoted Chinese Ministry of Public Security officials, who said that several core members of the Chen’s criminal syndicate have been apprehended, while police will continue to capture remaining fugitives.
The ministry issued a notice, urging fugitives linked to Chen’s syndicate to surrender.