Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the dramatic downfall of Chen Zhi, a notorious figure in the Southeast Asian cyber fraud scene, whose assets, including 127,271 bitcoins valued at approximately $15 billion, were seized by the U.S. Department of Justice, marking a significant crackdown on cybercrime and money laundering activities [2][19]. Group 1: Background of Chen Zhi - Chen Zhi, known as the "King of Cyber Fraud," holds a noble title in Cambodia and controls around 10 publicly listed companies in Hong Kong, with over 100 subsidiaries globally [4]. - Initially an ordinary youth from Fujian, China, Chen Zhi made his fortune through gray market activities, particularly by operating private servers for the popular game "Legend" [6][7]. - After the crackdown on online black markets in China, he relocated to Cambodia, where he capitalized on the lax regulatory environment to invest in real estate [9]. Group 2: Business Operations and Criminal Activities - In Cambodia, Chen Zhi established a network of political and business connections, leveraging his investments in real estate to build a powerful influence [9][13]. - His operations expanded into various lucrative sectors, including real estate, banking, telecommunications, and gambling, while simultaneously running multiple cyber fraud schemes [13][15]. - Chen Zhi's fraud operations involved managing 1,250 mobile phones and 76,000 social media accounts to execute scams, leading to significant financial losses for victims [15]. Group 3: Legal Actions and Consequences - The U.S. Department of Justice filed criminal charges against Chen Zhi for telecommunications fraud and money laundering, initiating civil proceedings to confiscate his bitcoins [19]. - The U.K. also froze 19 of his properties in London, labeling him as a criminal using illicit funds to acquire real estate [19]. - The U.S. Treasury designated his company, Prince Group, as a "transnational criminal organization," freezing assets and prohibiting U.S. transactions with him and associated individuals [19][21]. Group 4: Broader Implications - The case highlights the vulnerabilities in cryptocurrency transactions, demonstrating that even decentralized currencies like Bitcoin can be traced and seized through coordinated law enforcement efforts [27]. - The involvement of Taiwanese companies in the money laundering operations indicates a broader network of complicity in Chen Zhi's fraudulent activities [23]. - The article concludes that Chen Zhi's empire, built on deceit and exploitation, is likely to collapse under legal scrutiny, emphasizing the risks associated with illicit financial activities [29].
大快人心!美英联手查封150亿,比特币洗钱曝光,电诈帝国崩塌
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-21 13:37