China Central Television (CCTV) today broadcast images of Li Xiong, nearly bald and handcuffed, being escorted by police from a China Southern Airlines plane. According to China's Ministry of Public Security, Li played a central role in a "large-scale transnational gambling and fraud organization". Cambodia's Ministry of Interior stated Li was arrested in Cambodia and deported at China's request following a months-long joint investigation. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that "combating online gambling and cyber fraud is a shared responsibility of the international community".

CCTV described Li as a "core member of Chen Zhi's criminal syndicate". "Investigations revealed Li Xiong, former chairman of Huione Group, part of Prince Group, is suspected of involvement in numerous crimes," CCTV reported, adding that Li Xiong is "currently subject to coercive measures in accordance with the law". Chen Zhi, founder of Prince Group, was extradited from Cambodia to China in January. Both Chen and Li, born in China, previously held Cambodian citizenship, which Phnom Penh later revoked.

Li Xiong was extradited to China on 1/4. Photo: China's Ministry of Public Security

The US Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in 5/2025 identified Huione Group as a "primary money laundering concern". FinCEN stated the group facilitated over 4 billion USD in illicit transactions from 8/2021 to 1/2025. Consequently, FinCEN prohibited US financial institutions from maintaining accounts for Huione and processing transactions related to the Cambodia-based group since 10/2025.

In recent years, Cambodia has become a hotspot for online fraud operations. Transnational criminal groups initially targeted Chinese speakers, then broadened their scope, defrauding tens of billions of USD annually from victims globally. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated in February that fraud centers were undermining Cambodia's economy and tarnishing the nation's image. Cambodian officials pledged to shut down all online fraud centers by the end of April.

By Huyen Le (AFP)