Caixin reported on 27/7 that Chinese prosecutors have dropped charges of concealing proceeds from illegal activities against fraud boss Chen Zhi, but have added charges of copyright infringement and intentional injury.

Under Chinese criminal law, intentional injury resulting in death or severe injury, carried out with particularly cruel methods, carries a prison sentence of at least 10 years and may lead to the death penalty.

Two close associates of Chen Zhi have been extradited to China and are accused of various illegal activities, ranging from unlawful detention to intentional injury.

Among them is Liu Ren, founder of Jinbei Group, who was extradited from Cambodia in june on charges of operating multiple online gambling platforms under the Jinbei brand and enticing Chinese citizens to gamble. Li Xiong, former chairman of the board of Huione Group, a subsidiary of Prince Group, was extradited in april.

Boss Chen Zhi (center) is escorted from Phnom Penh onto a plane for extradition to China on 7/1. Photo: CCTV

According to Kyodo News, Hu Shi, believed to be the second most powerful member of Prince Group, was arrested in Japan last month for document forgery. Hu was identified as a 44-year-old Chinese-Cypriot citizen.

In addition to the case in China, boss Chen Zhi is also wanted by US prosecutors on charges of operating one of Asia's largest transnational criminal organizations.

Chen Zhi was born on 16/12/1987 in Phuc Kien province, China. Chen began his career in Phuc Chau city, Phuc Kien province, with a modest internet cafe. By 2011, Chen decided to enter the Cambodian real estate market and opened a company in Phnom Penh.

Chen was granted Cambodian citizenship in 2014. One year later, Chen founded Prince Group, which grew rapidly, gradually becoming a global "empire". Prince Group was once known as one of the largest conglomerates with the widest network of connections in Cambodia.

However, according to US and UK officials, this was merely a facade for a criminal empire. Investigations by US officials revealed that Chen operated one of Asia's largest transnational criminal organizations, built on forced labor and online scams.

Chen Zhi was arrested and extradited to China in january, following a joint US-China investigation targeting transnational criminal activities. Cambodia has also announced the revocation of Chen Zhi's citizenship.

Ngoc Anh (According to CNA, AFP)