Chen Zhi, a prominent Cambodian businessman, has come under intense international scrutiny after being linked to one of the largest financial fraud operations in recent years. The U.S. Department of Justice has seized over 120,000 bitcoins, worth more than $15 billion, from accounts associated with him. Alongside this, the U.S. and U.K. imposed joint sanctions on the 37-year-old tycoon and his conglomerate, Prince Holding Group, which has raised new questions about his rapid rise to prominence and his business dealings across Cambodia and beyond.
Chen’s Rapid Expansion in Cambodia’s Economy
Chen Zhi moved to Cambodia in 2011, capitalizing on a period of regional investment influx. His business ventures grew quickly, starting with smaller projects in China before transitioning into large-scale developments in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. These real estate projects reshaped the local economy, producing substantial returns during Cambodia’s construction boom. His influence deepened further when he expanded into the financial sector, launching a microfinance business and obtaining a commercial banking license to establish Prince Bank in 2018.
By then, Prince Holding Group had invested roughly $2 billion in Cambodia’s real estate, acquiring significant properties like the Prince Plaza. Chen’s visibility increased through his charitable foundation, the Prince Foundation, which helped strengthen his public image. His political connections also grew as he became an adviser to two Cambodian prime ministers and was granted the prestigious Neak Oknha title in 2020, positioning him as one of the country’s leading business figures.
Criminal Network Allegations and International Sanctions
International investigations have revealed that Prince Holding Group was allegedly involved in financing large-scale “pig-butchering” scams across Cambodia. These operations exploited trafficked workers who managed fake accounts used to defraud victims globally. Authorities have connected this network to forced labor, money laundering, and online gambling, with illicit funds flowing through crypto mining sites and shell companies in offshore jurisdictions, including the British Virgin Islands.
In response, U.S. and U.K. authorities froze assets tied to Chen, including properties in London worth over £100 million. However, Cambodian officials have yet to take formal action, stating that they would review foreign requests while offering no domestic charges at this time.