A man accused by Chinese authorities of leading a vast illegal gambling network has been handed over by Thailand. The individual, She Zhijiang, was transferred to Chinese custody on Wednesday following a prolonged legal process.
Thai police confirmed the extradition, stating the suspect is wanted for operating illicit casinos and online gambling platforms, as well as for using neighboring Myanmar as a base for these activities and for money laundering. The suspect’s legal representative described the extradition proceedings as atypical but did not provide further details, maintaining his client’s denial of all allegations.
The case has drawn international attention due to the scale of the alleged operations and their connections to broader criminal enterprises in Southeast Asia. At the time of his arrest in 2022, the suspect was reportedly associated with a multi-billion dollar casino and resort development on the Myanmar-Thailand border.
International authorities have increasingly focused on the border regions of several Southeast Asian nations, which have become notorious hubs for large-scale online fraud and human trafficking syndicates. These criminal networks are accused of generating enormous illicit profits by exploiting vulnerable individuals, many of whom are forced to work in scam operations.
In a related development, the United States announced new financial sanctions this week against a Myanmar-based armed group and several affiliated entities, accusing them of supporting cyber scam activities that target citizens abroad. U.S. officials stated that such criminal enterprises not only defraud victims but also contribute to regional instability and human rights abuses.