Cambodia raids buildings linked to Chen Zhi, Chinese billionaire accused of scam empire

104 people, including 82 Chinese nationals, detained in Phnom Penh raids as governments around world crack down on scam business2-MIN READ2-MIN0ListenPublished: 1:47pm, 21 May 2026Cambodian authorities have raided two buildings in Phnom Penh’s Prince Plaza Centre, which is linked to extradited Chinese billionaire Chen Zhi, and detained 104 individuals, including 82 Chinese nationals, local media reported.The move comes as governments around the world have intensified their crackdown on an alleged multibillion-dollar online scam empire since Chen’s arrest.01:46Thai military showcases gutted town-sized scam complex on Cambodian borderThe raid, a joint operation by Phnom Penh police, the country’s Commission for Combating Technology-Based Scams (CCTC), local government and representatives from the prosecutor’s office, took place on Saturday, the Phnom Penh Post said.The detained individuals were of six nationalities and are accused of running online scam operations or illegal residency.The police also confiscated 800 mobile phones, more than 100 computers and other materials, the report said.“Based on preliminary forensics, the suspects utilised the locations to carry out technology-based fraud by luring people both inside and outside the country into fake investment schemes,” the CCTC was quoted as saying.Cambodian authorities raided two buildings in Phnom Penh’s Prince Plaza Centre, where they seized laptops, mobile phones and other equipment. Photo: Sohu