Alleged Scam Kingpin Chen Zhi Extradited After Laundering Billions

Chen Zhi's empire has collapsed. The alleged online scam kingpin, accused by both the US and UK of laundering billions of dollars, was extradited to China in January.

Chen built a sprawling global operation centered around so-called "pig butchering" scam hubs — fraudulent schemes that lure victims into fake investment platforms before draining their funds. It's one of the fastest-growing categories of online fraud worldwide.

His reach extended far beyond tech. Chen allegedly cultivated an extensive network of politicians and banks to support his operations, enabling him to amass a massive fortune while shielding his activities across multiple jurisdictions.

The extradition marks a rare moment of international cooperation against cybercrime networks. Both Washington and London had flagged Chen as a major player in global financial fraud before China took custody.