Alleged scam-network mastermind Chen Zhi could face the death penalty after Chinese prosecutors added intentional injury charges to his case. Chen, 38, was extradited from Cambodia to China six months ago and formally arrested on July 6, according to Chinese business magazine Caixin.

Chen founded the Cambodian conglomerate Prince Group, which authorities link to a sprawling online scam network. Caixin reported on July 27 that prosecutors dropped a previous charge of concealing criminal proceeds but added copyright infringement and intentional injury charges.

Under Chinese criminal law, intentionally inflicting bodily injury and causing death or severe injury by especially cruel means carries a sentence of no less than 10 years in prison and could lead to execution.

Chen is also wanted by United States prosecutors for allegedly running one of Asia's biggest transnational criminal organisations.

Hu Shi, believed to be the second-in-command at Prince Group, was arrested in Japan last month for falsifying documents, according to Kyodo News Agency. Hu, who is suspected of using several names including Chen Xiaoer and Hu Xiaowei, is a 44-year-old Chinese-born Cypriot national.

The US Treasury Department sanctioned Hu in June, describing him as a "big brother" to Chen. The department stated that Hu set up several Prince subsidiaries outside Cambodia and played a role in the group's transnational real estate activities.

Meanwhile, over 1,400 Indonesians have sought embassy assistance to leave Cambodia following the closure of scam centres linked to the network.

Sources